榊 (shén) - Sakaki — a sacred tree in Shinto, the & used in Shinto rituals as an offering to

榊Tone 2

shén ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

上姝

榊 · shén

Sakaki — a sacred tree in Shinto, the Japanese Cleyera (Cleyera japonica);

used in Shinto rituals as an offering to kami (gods/spirits).

Sakaki — a sacred tree in Shinto, theused in Shinto rituals as an offering to

Usage highlights

Sakaki treeSakaki branchSakaki leafSakaki offeringSacred sakakiSakaki at shrine

Synonyms

  • 神木— sacred tree (general term)
  • 賢木— alternative name for sakaki (archaic)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The sakaki tree (榊) is considered sacred in Shinto.
  • Priests use sakaki branches (榊の枝) in purification rituals.
  • Sakaki leaves (榊の葉) are often placed on Shinto altars.
  • The character combines tree (木) and god (神).

Collocations

  • Sakaki tree(榊の木)
  • Sakaki branch(榊の枝)
  • Sakaki leaf(榊の葉)
  • Sakaki offering(榊のお供え)
  • Sacred sakaki(神聖な榊)
  • Sakaki at shrine(神社の榊)

Idioms

  • Sakaki as sacred offering(神前に榊を捧げる)
  • Pure as sakaki(榊のように清らか)
  • Sakaki of the gods(神々の榊)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 榊 is a Japanese kokuji (national character), not used in standard Chinese.
  • The tree is sacred in Shinto, used in rituals to demarcate sacred space and as offerings.
  • Etymologically combines 木 (tree) and 神 (god/kami) — 'tree of the gods'.

FAQ