雨乞(あまご)い

あまごい
noun
praying for rain; rain-making ritual
1. praying for rain; rain-making ritual
A prayer or ritual performed to invoke rain during a drought. Historically practiced at shrines and temples across Japan, and still performed as a cultural tradition in some communities.
村人(むらびと)たちは雨乞(あまご)いをした。
The villagers prayed for rain.
日照(ひで)りが続(つづ)き、雨乞(あまご)いの儀式(ぎしき)が行(おこな)われた。
The drought continued, and a rain-making ritual was performed.
この地方(ちほう)には古(ふる)くから伝(つた)わる雨乞(あまご)いの踊(おど)りがある。
This region has a rain-prayer dance that has been handed down since ancient times.

Forms

雨(あま) (rain — using the combining form あま rather than あめ) + 乞(こ)い (begging, pleading — from 乞(こ)う, to beg).

Cultural note

雨乞(あまご)い ceremonies have a long history in Japan, where rice farming depends heavily on adequate rainfall. Traditional rituals include prayers at 神社(じんじゃ) (shrines), dancing, and offerings. Some communities still hold 雨乞(あまご)い festivals as cultural events.

Common collocations

Related Words

Compare: 晴(は)れ乞(ご)い (praying for clear weather)
general
Added 2026.3.7 16:41 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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