noun
Refers to the act or practice of hunting whales. Can also imply the whaling industry.
昔、この村では鯨取りが盛んだった。
Whaling used to be thriving in this village.
鯨取りは国際的に規制されている。
Whaling is internationally regulated.
捕鯨 is a more formal, technical term for whaling, often used in official or scientific contexts. 鯨取り is a more traditional, everyday word.
Compound of 鯨 (くじら, 'whale') and 取り (とり, 'taking, catching'), from the verb 取る (とる, 'to take').