神事(しんじ)

しんじ
noun
Shinto ritual; sacred ceremony
formalacademic
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(じんじゃ)で神事(しんじ)が行(おこな)われた。
A Shinto ritual was held at the shrine.
毎年(まいとし)秋(あき)になると、この地域(ちいき)では豊作(ほうさく)を祈(いの)る神事(しんじ)が行(おこな)われる。
Every autumn, a Shinto ceremony praying for a good harvest is held in this area.
相撲(すもう)はもともと神事(しんじ)として始(はじ)まったもので、土俵(どひょう)の上(うえ)での作法(さほう)にはその名残(なごり)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(ほうよう)) or secular events. Many traditional Japanese festivals (祭(まつ)り) include 神事(しんじ) as their core religious component, often followed by more festive public celebrations.

EXAMPLES OF 神事(しんじ):

  • 地鎮祭(じちんさい): groundbreaking ceremony
  • 新嘗祭(にいなめさい): harvest thanksgiving festival
  • 御神楽(おかぐら): sacred kagura dance offering

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: 祭礼(さいれい) (religious festival)
Compare: 社務(しゃむ) (shrine affairs)
Compare: 仏事(ぶつじ) (Buddhist service)
general
Added 2026.2.28 8:07 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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