chikara

Chikara is a Japanese noun meaning power, strength, or force. It is written with the kanji 力 and is read chikara in Japanese. The word appears in everyday language to describe physical strength, stamina, and the capacity to influence outcomes. It also occurs in compound terms and names that evoke energy or capability.

In addition to its general meaning, chikara is used as a personal and place name in Japan and has been adopted in media and entertainment outside Japan, often to convey a sense of vitality or combat prowess.

A prominent use outside of Japan is the professional wrestling promotion Chikara, based in Philadelphia, United States. Founded in 2002 by Mike Quackenbush, it became known for its colorful, masked performers, a blend of lucha libre and comic-book storytelling, and for the annual King of Trios tournament. The promotion contributed to the wider popularization of the term in non-Japanese contexts and demonstrated how a single word for power could become a branding element.

Overall, chikara denotes power or strength in Japanese and has been used in various domains, typically connected to energy, capability, or competitive performance.