起工式(きこうしき)

Composed of 起工(きこう) ('commencement of construction') + 式(しき) ('ceremony'). The term refers to the public event, not the physical start of work.

Usage

• Used for large civil engineering and building projects — highways, railways, hospitals, schools, government buildings, stadiums, and corporate headquarters.
• Smaller residential projects more often use 地鎮祭(じちんさい) ('ground-purification ritual'), a Shinto rite focused on appeasing local spirits before construction.
• The verb paired with it is 行(おこな)う ('to hold, conduct'): 起工式(きこうしき)を行(おこな)う ('to hold a groundbreaking ceremony').

Common collocations

• 起工式(きこうしき)を行(おこな)う: to hold a groundbreaking ceremony
• 起工式(きこうしき)に出席(しゅっせき)する: to attend a groundbreaking ceremony
• 起工式(きこうしき)が行(おこな)われる: (a ceremony) is held
• 起工式(きこうしき)で鍬入(くわい)れをする: to perform the ritual earth-turning at the ceremony

Related words

• 地鎮祭(じちんさい): Shinto ground-purification ritual before construction
• 上棟式(じょうとうしき): topping-out / framework-raising ceremony
• 竣工式(しゅんこうしき): completion ceremony (marking the end of construction)
• 落成式(らくせいしき): inauguration ceremony for a completed building

Cultural note

• Ceremonies are often held according to a lucky day on the traditional 六曜(ろくよう) calendar (especially 大安(たいあん)). A Shinto priest may preside; participants wear formal attire and may wield a gold-painted ceremonial shovel or hoe.