神輿(みこし)

みこし
noun
portable shrine
culturereligion
1. portable shrine
A decorated miniature shrine carried on poles by a group of people during festivals. It is believed to house the spirit of a deity during the procession.
神輿(みこし)を担(かつ)ぐ。
To carry a portable shrine.
祭(まつ)りで神輿(みこし)が通(とお)った。
A portable shrine passed through during the festival.
町内会(ちょうないかい)のみんなで神輿(みこし)を担(かつ)いで練(ね)り歩(ある)いた。
Everyone in the neighborhood association carried the portable shrine in a parade through the streets.

Usage

The core verb collocation is 神輿(みこし)を担(かつ)ぐ (to carry a mikoshi on one's shoulders). The figurative idiom 神輿(みこし)を担(かつ)ぐ can also mean to put someone forward as a figurehead or leader.

Cultural note

Portable shrines are central to many Japanese festivals (祭(まつ)り). Carriers shout わっしょい as they parade the shrine through the streets. The shrine temporarily houses the local deity (氏神(うじがみ)) during the festival.

Common collocations

general
Added 2026.2.8 14:52 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
10500/10605_mikoshi