1.
household Shinto altar, kami shelf
A small shelf or miniature shrine installed high on a wall in Japanese homes and businesses to enshrine Shinto talismans (御札). Used for daily prayers and offerings to the kami.
毎朝神棚に手を合わせる。
I put my hands together in prayer at the kami shelf every morning.
新しい御札を神棚に祀った。
I enshrined a new talisman on the kami shelf.
祖父の家には立派な神棚があり、毎日水と米を供えていた。
My grandfather's house had an impressive kami shelf, and he would offer water and rice there every day.
USAGE:
A compound of 神 (god, kami) and 棚 (shelf). Traditionally placed high on a wall in the living room or a prominent room. The Buddhist equivalent is 仏壇 (Buddhist altar). Some households have both.
Offerings typically include 米 (rice), 水 (water), 塩 (salt), and 榊 (sakaki branches).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 神棚に祀る: to enshrine on the kami shelf
- 神棚に手を合わせる: to pray at the kami shelf
- 神棚に供える: to make offerings at the kami shelf
- 神棚を設ける: to set up a kami shelf