1.
death register; family memorial record
A register kept at a Buddhist temple or by a family, recording the names, death dates, and posthumous Buddhist names of deceased family members.
2.
thing of the past; forgotten record
Figuratively, something that has been relegated to the past and is no longer relevant.
A compound of 過去 (past, the dead) and 帳 (notebook, register). Originally a Buddhist term for the register of the dead kept at temples, recording 戒名 (posthumous Buddhist names), dates of death, and secular names.
These records are important historical documents for tracing family lineage and are consulted during Buddhist memorial services (法事). In its figurative sense, 過去帳に入る means to become obsolete or forgotten.
Common collocations
- 過去帳を調べる: to check the death register
- 過去帳に記す: to record in the death register
- 過去帳に入る: to become a thing of the past
- 過去帳入り: being relegated to the past
Similar words
- 位牌: memorial tablet — a physical tablet placed on the Buddhist altar for the deceased
- 家系図: family tree — a chart showing family lineage, not specifically for the deceased
- 戒名: posthumous Buddhist name — the name given to the deceased, recorded in the 過去帳
Related Words
Compare:
位牌 (memorial tablet)