風刺

• Reading: ふうし
• Romaji: fūshi
• Kanji breakdown: 風 (fū) — style, manner, hint; 刺 (shi) — pierce, criticise
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯː.ɕi/

Meaning

Satire; the use of irony, wit, or exaggeration to criticise and expose folly in people, institutions, or society.

A noun (also 風刺する as a suru verb) describing a literary or artistic mode that uses humour and irony as weapons of social criticism. 風刺漫画 (satirical cartoon), 風刺小説 (satirical novel), and 風刺劇 (satirical play) are common compounds. The Japanese tradition of satire dates to the Edo period, when kyōka poetry and senryū verse offered masked social commentary on the authorities under censorship.

Examples

1. その小説は政府の腐敗を痛烈な風刺で描き、発売直後から話題を呼んだ。 The novel depicted government corruption with biting satire and caused a sensation immediately upon release.
2. 風刺漫画は権力者への批判を笑いに包んで届ける有効な手段だ。 Satirical cartoons are an effective means of delivering criticism of those in power wrapped in laughter.
3. 彼の随筆は穏やかな筆致の中に鋭い社会風刺が潜んでいた。 Beneath the gentle prose of his essays, sharp social satire lay in wait.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, journalism, politics, comedy, social commentary

Tone: critical

Origin & History

From 風 (manner, style, a breath or hint of something) and 刺 (pierce, stab, criticise). The compound suggests criticism that carries a concealed blade — a hint of air (風) secretly bearing a piercing point (刺).

Cultural Context

Era: Edo to modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: General