慰霊(いれい)

いれい
noun
memorial service; consoling the spirits of the dead
formalreligionculture
1. consoling the spirits of the dead; memorial
The act of honoring and consoling the spirits of deceased persons, especially those who died in war, disasters, or tragic events. Central to Japanese memorial culture.
慰霊(いれい)祭(さい)に参加(さんか)する。
I attend a memorial service.
戦没者(せんぼつしゃ)の慰霊(いれい)のために花(はな)を捧(ささ)げた。
Flowers were offered to console the spirits of the war dead.
毎年(まいとし)8月(がつ)に広島(ひろしま)で慰霊(いれい)式典(しきてん)が行(おこな)われている。
A memorial ceremony is held in Hiroshima every August.

Composed of 慰(い) (to console, comfort) and 霊(れい) (spirit, soul). Refers to the practice of honoring and consoling the spirits of the deceased, particularly those who died in war or disaster. Deeply rooted in Japanese memorial culture and often associated with Shinto and Buddhist traditions.

Common collocations

  • 慰霊(いれい)碑(ひ): memorial monument
  • 慰霊(いれい)祭(さい): memorial service/festival
  • 慰霊(いれい)式典(しきてん): memorial ceremony
  • 慰霊(いれい)の旅(たび): memorial pilgrimage

Cultural note

Major memorial sites in Japan include the 広島(ひろしま)平和(へいわ)記念(きねん)公園(こうえん) (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park) and the 沖縄(おきなわ)平和(へいわ)祈念(きねん)公園(こうえん) (Okinawa Peace Memorial Park). The annual ceremonies on August 6 and 15 are major national events.

Similar words

  • 追悼(ついとう): mourning — focuses on grieving and paying respects, used for both public and private occasions
  • 弔(とむら)い: mourning, funeral rites — more personal, used for individual deaths

Related Words

Compare: 追悼(ついとう) (mourning)
general
Added 2026.4.8 6:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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