1.
Shinto ritual, sacred ceremony, religious rite
A ceremony or ritual performed at a Shinto shrine to honor the gods (kami). Includes purification rites, seasonal festivals, and prayers for blessings. Distinguished from secular events or Buddhist ceremonies.
神社で神事が行われた。
A Shinto ritual was held at the shrine.
毎年秋になると、この地域では豊作を祈る神事が行われる。
Every autumn, a Shinto ceremony praying for a good harvest is held in this area.
相撲はもともと神事として始まったもので、土俵の上での作法にはその名残がある。
Sumo originally began as a Shinto ritual, and traces of this remain in the etiquette observed on the ring.
USAGE:
Refers specifically to Shinto religious ceremonies, as distinct from Buddhist rituals (法要) or secular events. Many traditional Japanese festivals (祭り) include 神事 as their core religious component, often followed by more festive public celebrations.
EXAMPLES OF 神事:
- 地鎮祭: groundbreaking ceremony
- 新嘗祭: harvest thanksgiving festival
- 御神楽: sacred kagura dance offering
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 神事を行う: to perform a Shinto ritual
- 神事を執り行う: to conduct a sacred ceremony
- 神事に参列する: to attend a Shinto rite