1.
visiting a grave; paying respects at a grave
The act of visiting a family grave or memorial to pay respects to the deceased. This is an important cultural practice in Japan, especially during Obon, the spring and autumn equinoxes, and the New Year.
A compound of 墓 (grave) and 参 (visit, worship). Short for 墓参り, which is the more colloquial expression. 墓参 is used in slightly more formal or written contexts, while 墓参り is the everyday spoken form.
Grave visiting is a deeply rooted practice in Japanese culture. Families typically clean the gravestone, offer flowers, incense, and water, and pray before the grave. The most common times are during お盆 (mid-August), 春分の日 (spring equinox), 秋分の日 (autumn equinox), and 命日 (death anniversaries).
Common collocations
- 墓参に行く: to go visit a grave
- 墓参を済ませる: to finish visiting the grave
- 墓参を欠かさない: to never miss visiting the grave