1.
ritual burning of old charms, talismans, and sacred objects
A Shinto or Buddhist rite in which old お{札|おふだ}, お{守り|おまもり}, and other sacred objects are respectfully burned at a shrine or temple, returning them to the gods. It is held so that items containing spiritual power are not simply thrown away.
古いお札をお焚き上げに出す。
I take my old talismans to be ritually burned.
神社でお焚き上げが行われた。
A ritual burning was held at the shrine.
正月が過ぎると、古いお守りをお焚き上げしてもらう。
After New Year's passes, I have my old amulets ritually burned.
From the verb 焚く (to burn, to kindle) with the honorific お prefix. Frequently used with する: お焚き上げする, お焚き上げしてもらう.
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
- Most common in early January, when New Year's decorations and the previous year's お{守り|おまもり} are burned
- The well-known fire festival どんど焼き is one form of お焚き上げ
- Reflects the belief that sacred objects should be returned to the divine, not discarded as ordinary trash