also: けんきゃく
master swordsman; skilled fencer
Refers to a highly skilled practitioner of swordsmanship, often with a connotation of a wandering or freelance warrior in historical contexts.
彼は当代随一の剣客として知られている。
He is known as the greatest swordsman of our time.
That master swordsman traveled across the country honing his skills.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading けんかく is the most common.
Alternate reading; less common and may be considered old-fashioned or literary.
A Sino-Japanese compound of 剣, “sword,” and 客, “person or practitioner,” denoting a swordsman, especially one renowned for skill.