1.
seventh death anniversary; memorial service held in the sixth year after a death
A Buddhist memorial service marking the seventh observance of someone's death. In Japanese tradition, it is held six years after the death (counted inclusively, so the death year is year 1).
Buddhist tradition counts memorial years inclusively: the death year is year 1, so the 七回忌 falls six calendar years later. After this point, attendance typically narrows to close family.
Common collocations
- 七回忌法要: seventh-year memorial service
- 七回忌を営む: to hold the seventh-year service
- 七回忌法事: seventh-year memorial event