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.
神輿を担ぐ。
To carry a portable shrine.
祭りで神輿が通った。
A portable shrine passed through during the festival.
町内会のみんなで神輿を担いで練り歩いた。
Everyone in the neighborhood association carried the portable shrine in a parade through the streets.
USAGE:
The core verb collocation is 神輿を担ぐ (to carry a mikoshi on one's shoulders). The figurative idiom 神輿を担ぐ can also mean to put someone forward as a figurehead or leader.
CULTURAL NOTES:
Portable shrines are central to many Japanese festivals (祭り). Carriers shout わっしょい as they parade the shrine through the streets. The shrine temporarily houses the local deity (氏神) during the festival.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 神輿を担ぐ: to carry a portable shrine
- 神輿を練り歩く: to parade the shrine through the streets
- 神輿を上げる: to lift up the shrine