Translation guide
The sport or skill of shooting with a bow and arrows. In Japanese, the most common term is アーチェリー for Western-style target archery, while 弓道 refers to the traditional Japanese martial art of archery. Other terms exist for historical or ceremonial contexts.
The modern sport of shooting at targets with a bow, as practiced in the Olympics or recreationally.
The standard loanword for Western archery. Used in sports, clubs, and casual conversation.
彼はアーチェリーが得意です。
He is good at archery.
週末にアーチェリーをしに行きませんか？
Would you like to go do some archery this weekend?
Literally 'Western bow'. A less common term that explicitly contrasts with traditional Japanese archery. Sometimes used in formal or comparative contexts.
洋弓と和弓の違いについて研究しています。
I am researching the differences between Western and Japanese archery.
The Japanese martial art and spiritual practice of archery, emphasizing form, etiquette, and self-discipline.
The standard term for the traditional Japanese martial art of archery. It is both a sport and a path of self-cultivation.
高校から弓道を始めました。
I started kyudo in high school.
弓道の精神は「真・善・美」を追求することです。
The spirit of kyudo is to pursue truth, goodness, and beauty.
An older term for Japanese archery techniques, focusing on the martial aspect rather than the spiritual. Rarely used today except in historical contexts.
The general activity of shooting with a bow, without specifying Western or Japanese style.
Literally 'bow and arrow'. Can refer to archery in a broad sense, often used in historical or fantasy contexts.
彼は弓矢の名手だ。
He is a master of the bow and arrow.
Simply 'bow'. In context, can imply archery, but is less specific. Often used in compound words.
The practice of shooting a bow while riding a horse, historically significant in Japanese culture.
A traditional Japanese mounted archery ritual, often performed at Shinto ceremonies. Not a common everyday term.
神社の祭りで流鏑馬が行われました。
Yabusame was performed at the shrine festival.
General term for shooting a bow from horseback. Used in historical texts.
武士は騎射の訓練を積んだ。
Samurai trained in mounted archery.
Use アーチェリー for Western-style target archery (Olympic sport, recreational). Use 弓道 for the traditional Japanese martial art with specific etiquette, form, and spiritual elements. Mixing them up can cause confusion, as they are considered distinct activities in Japan.
アーチェリーはオリンピック競技ですが、弓道はそうではありません。
Archery is an Olympic sport, but kyudo is not.
江戸時代には弓術が武士の必須技能でした。
In the Edo period, archery was an essential skill for samurai.
Drawing a bow is difficult.