1.
illusionism; the art of creating illusions; sleight of hand
The technique of creating illusions, whether through stage magic, optical tricks, or supernatural means.
幻術で観客を驚かせた。
The audience was amazed by the illusionism.
忍者は幻術を使って敵を欺いた。
The ninja used illusion techniques to deceive the enemy.
江戸時代には幻術使いの話が多く語り継がれ、歌舞伎の演目にもなった。
During the Edo period, many stories of illusionists were passed down and became kabuki plays.
2.
illusion technique (in fiction); sorcery; magical deception
In anime, manga, and games, a category of supernatural abilities that manipulate the target's senses or perception.
幻術にかかった。
I fell under an illusion spell.
このキャラクター}は{幻術タイプだ。
This character is an illusion-type.
相手の幻術を見破るには、強い精神力が必要だ。
To see through an opponent's illusion technique, strong willpower is needed.
A compound of 幻 (illusion/phantom) and 術 (technique/art). Historically associated with ninja lore and Edo-period entertainment, the word has gained modern prominence through anime and manga, particularly the Naruto series, where it refers to a specific category of ninja abilities.
In classical Japanese culture, 幻術 referred to various tricks and deceptions employed by traveling performers and, in legends, by supernatural beings like foxes (狐) and tanuki (狸). These creatures were believed to bewitch humans by creating false visions.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 幻術を使う: to use illusion magic
- 幻術にかかる: to fall under an illusion
- 幻術を見破る: to see through an illusion
- 幻術使い: an illusionist
RELATED TERMS:
- 手品: magic tricks; sleight of hand (stage magic)
- 忍術: ninja techniques
- 妖術: black magic; sorcery
- 魔法: magic (general term)