1.
impurity; defilement; spiritual uncleanness; disgrace
Ritual or spiritual impurity in the Shinto and traditional Japanese cultural context. Associated with death, blood, illness, and moral transgression. Distinct from the homographic word 汚れ, which refers to physical dirt.
A concept central to Shinto and Japanese traditional culture. Refers to ritual or spiritual impurity associated with death, blood, illness, or moral wrongdoing. Distinct from 汚れ (physical dirt or stain), even though both share the same kanji.
Common collocations
- 汚れを祓う: to purify, to cleanse impurity
- 汚れを受ける: to be defiled
- 汚れのない: pure, undefiled
- 汚れを知らない: innocent, untainted
Similar words
- 汚れ: dirt, stain — physical dirtiness on surfaces or clothes
- 穢れ: impurity — variant kanji form; same word, sometimes used in more formal/literary contexts
- 不浄: uncleanness — Buddhist term for impurity, especially bodily
Cultural note
The concept of 汚れ is foundational to understanding many Shinto practices, including ritual purification (禊), avoidance of certain foods or places during mourning, and the significance of shrine visits for cleansing.