Kido

Kido is a term with multiple uses in Japanese language and popular culture. It is commonly encountered as a Japanese surname and given name, and it also appears in fiction and media as a concept or title.

As a surname, Kido is of Japanese origin and can be written with various kanji. The form 木戸 is among the most common, traditionally interpreted as related to a gate or doorway associated with wood. The reading Kido can arise from other kanji combinations and contexts as well.

In fiction, Kido is widely recognized as a system of supernatural arts in the manga and anime series Bleach. In that context, Kido refers to a collection of spells used by Shinigami for offense, defense, or detection. These spells are usually categorized into Hadō (destructive spells) and Bakudō (binding or sealing spells) and are described with numbered designations.

Regional and cultural usage of the word may differ, and Kido may appear as a given name or place name in East Asia, depending on the kanji used and the historical or literary context. The precise meaning is therefore dependent on its linguistic or fictional setting.