1.
purification ritual; exorcism; spiritual cleansing
A Shinto ritual performed by a priest to cleanse people, places, or objects of impurities, evil spirits, or bad luck. Commonly performed at shrines for various occasions.
神社でお祓いを受けた。
I received a purification ritual at the shrine.
新車を買ったので、お祓いをしてもらった。
I bought a new car, so I had a purification ritual performed on it.
厄年なので、年の初めに厄除けのお祓いに行ってきた。
Since it's my unlucky year, I went for an evil-warding purification at the start of the year.
CULTURE:
お祓い is one of the most common Shinto rituals in Japan. People seek purification for a wide range of occasions: moving into a new house, buying a new car, starting a business, reaching an unlucky year (厄年), or after a period of misfortune.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- お祓いを受ける (to receive a purification)
- お祓いをしてもらう (to have a purification performed)
- お祓いに行く (to go for a purification)
FORM:
The お prefix is standard and almost always used. The plain form 祓い exists but is less common in everyday speech.