弓きゅう馬ば刀とう槍そう

noun

archery, horsemanship, spearmanship, and swordsmanship; martial arts in general

A classical term enumerating the four core martial skills of the samurai. Often used to refer to martial arts as a whole, especially in historical or literary contexts.

• 彼かれは幼おさない頃ころから弓きゅう馬ば刀とう槍そうの道みちに励はげんだ。

  From a young age, he devoted himself to the way of archery, horsemanship, spearmanship, and swordsmanship.

• 弓きゅう馬ば刀とう槍そうは武ぶ士しの嗜たしなみとされた。

  Mastery of archery, horsemanship, spearmanship, and swordsmanship was considered essential for a samurai.