1.
ceremonial occasions, life events
A collective term for the major ceremonial events in life: coming-of-age ceremonies, weddings, funerals, and ancestral rites. By extension, refers to formal social occasions and their associated customs and etiquette.
Etymology
The four characters represent the four categories of life ceremonies:
- 冠 (冠) — coming-of-age ceremony (成人式)
- 婚 (結婚) — wedding
- 葬 (葬儀) — funeral
- 祭 (祭祀) — ancestral rites and memorial services
Common collocations
- 冠婚葬祭のマナー (etiquette for ceremonial occasions)
- 冠婚葬祭に出席する (to attend a ceremonial event)
- 冠婚葬祭互助会 (mutual aid society for ceremonial events)
Cultural note
In Japan, there is extensive etiquette surrounding 冠婚葬祭, including appropriate clothing, monetary gifts (祝儀 for celebrations, 香典 for funerals), and proper greetings. Many bookstores carry dedicated 冠婚葬祭 etiquette guides.