裂帛

• Reading: れっぱく
• Romaji: reppaku
• Kanji breakdown: 裂 (retsu) — tear, split; 帛 (haku/paku) — silk cloth
• Pronunciation: /ɾeppakɯ/

Meaning

Piercing (yell); spirit; determination. The sharp, tearing quality of an intense shout or a fierce fighting spirit.

A noun primarily encountered in the phrase 裂帛の気合い (reppaku no kiai — a piercing war cry; fierce fighting spirit), describing an intensity so sharp it seems to rend fabric. Used in martial arts, sports, and literary descriptions of extreme mental or physical exertion. Relatively rare; encountered mostly in formal or literary writing.

Examples

1. 選手は裂帛の気合いで最後の一本を決めた。 The athlete landed the final point with a piercing battle cry.
2. 演奏の随所に裂帛の迫力があり、聴衆を圧倒した。 Throughout the performance there was a fierce intensity that overwhelmed the audience.
3. 彼女の裂帛の叫びが静まり返った道場に響き渡った。 Her piercing shout echoed through the silent dojo.

Usage Guide

Context: martial arts, sports, literary, performance arts

Tone: intense

Origin & History

From 裂 (to tear, split) and 帛 (silk cloth). The image is of a sound or force so acute it tears through fine silk — conveying an almost physical sharpness of spirit or voice.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Present

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated