The New York Times Crossword · 43-Across · 5 letters
Practice Japanese The New York Times Crossword clue
Editorially reviewed August 20, 2026
Decode the turn
Reveal the answer now—or spot the trick first.
What to notice
Reverse the two clue words, then think of an energy-healing method from Japan.
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Answer
How the trick resolves
The Across-clue gimmick reverses normal word order: “Practice Japanese” becomes “Japanese practice,” which points to REIKI.
Continue this puzzleVisionary … or what you'll need to return to when solving this puzzle's Down clues →The turn in the clue
The puzzle asks solvers to reverse the order of the Across clue's words.
The answer in plain English
Reiki is a Japanese energy-healing practice involving hands-on or hands-near-body techniques.
Where this clue appeared
43-Across in The New York Times Crossword puzzle for August 20, 2026.
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