magic; conjuring; sleight of hand
Refers to performance magic and conjuring tricks, not supernatural magic. Often used in compounds like 奇術師 (magician).
He performed his favorite magic trick at the party.
He amazed the audience with his magic tricks.
奇術の種明かしをする番組が人気だ。
TV shows that reveal the secrets behind magic tricks are popular.
I showed the children a magic trick and surprised them.
マジック is a casual loanword for magic tricks, whereas 奇術 sounds more formal and is typically used in written or professional contexts.
魔術 refers to supernatural magic or sorcery, while 奇術 is strictly stage magic and sleight of hand performed as entertainment.
magician; illusionist; conjurer
Compound of 奇 (strange, mysterious) and 術 (technique, art). The term was coined in the Meiji period to translate Western concepts of stage magic and conjuring.