1.
purification ritual, ritual cleansing
A Shinto purification rite involving bathing in cold water, such as a river, waterfall, or the sea, to wash away impurity and sin.
滝に打たれて禊をする。
Perform a purification ritual by standing under a waterfall.
新年に海で禊を行う神社もある。
Some shrines perform purification rituals in the sea at New Year.
古事記では、イザナギが黄泉の国から戻った後に禊を行ったとされる。
In the Kojiki, Izanagi is said to have performed a purification ritual after returning from the land of the dead.
2.
atonement, making amends
Figuratively, the act of atoning for wrongdoing or scandal, especially by a public figure. Often used in politics to describe winning an election after a scandal as proof of public forgiveness.
選挙で禊を済ませたと言われている。
It is said that he has atoned for his actions by winning the election.
不祥事を起こした議員が、禊を済ませたとして復帰した。
The politician who caused the scandal made a comeback, claiming he had atoned for his actions.
謹慎期間を経て復帰したが、まだ禊が済んでいないという声も多い。
He returned after a period of suspension, but many say he hasn't yet fully atoned.
CULTURAL NOTE:
Originally a Shinto practice of purifying oneself by bathing in natural water. The mythological origin is the story of Izanagi purifying himself after visiting the underworld, as told in the Kojiki. Today the figurative sense (atonement after scandal) is very common in political journalism.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 禊を行う / 禊をする: to perform a purification ritual
- 禊を済ませる: to complete one's atonement
- 禊が済む: one's atonement is complete
- 選挙で禊を済ませる: to atone through winning an election