52Cards
BeginnerDifficulty
78 minTime
Shrines and SpiritsThemes
Overview
The cards keep one lane, giving you an easy way to revisit shrines and spirits.
Practice This Deck
Open the dedicated practice room for flashcards, quiz, and review.
Previous deckSamurai and WarReview 52 kanji chosen for the theme of samurai and war.Next deckSeasons of JapanSeasons of Japan offers 52 kanji for a short pass through seasons in Japanese culture.
Cards in This Deck
52 Cards
- 01社company, firm, officeIdentify the primary character for Shinto shrines and spiritual associations.
- 02神gods, mind, soulLearn the core character for gods and divine spirits.
- 03宮Shinto shrine, constellations, palaceUse this kanji to identify grand Shinto shrines and royal palaces.
- 04寺Buddhist templeIdentify Buddhist temples and historical centers of learning.
- 05仏Buddha, the dead, FranceThis character represents the Buddha and the tools used in Buddhist rituals.
- 06僧Buddhist priest, monkIdentify the monks and priests who serve at Buddhist temples.
- 07堂public chamber, hallThis kanji describes the grand halls and public chambers found in temple complexes.
- 08祭ritual, offer prayers, celebrateMaster the kanji for the rituals and festivals held at shrines.
- 09祝celebrate, congratulateUse this character when celebrating happy events and offering congratulations.
- 10祖ancestor, pioneer, founderThis kanji honors ancestors and the founders of sacred traditions.
- 11礼salute, bow, ceremonyLearn the kanji for the bows and ritual ceremonies used to show thanks.
- 12聖holy, saint, sageThis kanji marks things as holy or describes exceptionally wise saints.
- 13霊spirits, soulExplore the spiritual world with this kanji for souls and unseen spirits.
- 14魂soul, spiritThis character focuses on the deep inner spirit and essence of the soul.
- 15禅Zen, silent meditationLearn the kanji for Zen Buddhism and the practice of silent meditation.
- 16菩kind of grass, sacred treeThis kanji is used for sacred trees and figures like the Bodhisattva.
- 17祇great, national or local god, peacefulThis character refers to local earth deities and links to the Gion festival.
- 18鈴small bell, buzzerIdentify the small bells rung at shrines to signal the gods.
- 19鐘bell, gong, chimesThis kanji represents the large bells and gongs found in temple towers.
- 20慶jubilation, congratulate, rejoiceExpress deep joy and celebrate happy occasions with this kanji.
- 21謝apologize, thank, refuseExpressing gratitude through a prayer of thanks connects this kanji to shrine rituals.
- 22措set aside, give up, suspendThis kanji relates to taking measures or setting aside distractions before entering sacred grounds.
- 23績exploits, achievements, unreeling cocoonsLearners often pray for success and record their achievements when visiting local shrines.
- 24我ego, I, selfishUnderstanding the self and the ego is a core concept when reflecting at a spirit shrine.
- 25居reside, to be, existShrines are built as places where spirits and deities reside within the human world.
- 26染dye, color, paintTraditional ceremonies often feature vibrant colors and fabrics dyed with ancient techniques.
- 27秀excel, excellence, beautyThis kanji describes the surpassing beauty and excellence found in sacred architecture.
- 28拠foothold, based on, followA shrine serves as a spiritual foothold and a base for local community traditions.
- 29賛approve, praise, title or inscription on pictureOfferings and rituals are performed to praise the spirits and seek their approval.
- 30籍enroll, domiciliary register, membershipMany shrines maintain historical registers that track the membership of local families.
- 31併join, get together, uniteVisitors join their hands together in a collective moment of prayer and reflection.
- 32鳥bird, chickenThe traditional gate at a shrine entrance is called a torii, which literally means a bird perch.
- 33荒laid waste, rough, rudeSome rituals are dedicated to calming wild spirits or protecting against rough nature.
- 34兼concurrently, and, beforehandSacred grounds often serve concurrently as community spaces and historic preservation sites.
- 35孤orphan, alonePeople often visit shrines for quiet reflection when they feel alone or isolated.
- 36殖augment, increase, multiplyShrines are traditional places to pray for an increase in wealth and a bountiful harvest.
- 37粘sticky, glutinous, greasyThis kanji represents the spiritual perseverance needed to overcome difficult challenges.
- 38据set, lay a foundation, installLarge stone lanterns and statues are carefully installed and set within the shrine grounds.
- 39覧perusal, seeVisitors can see sacred treasures and historical documents during special shrine viewings.
- 40粛solemn, quietly, softlyA solemn and quiet atmosphere is maintained within the inner sanctum of the shrine.
- 41磨grind, polish, scourConnects to the practice of polishing shrine tools or refining one's spirit.
- 42叩beat, criticize, hitRepresents striking a temple bell or performing a deep kowtow in prayer.
- 43眞Buddhist sect, reality, truthFound in spiritual contexts like the Shingon sect and the pursuit of truth.
- 44桝(kokuji), measuring boxThese wooden boxes are used for shrine offerings and ritual measurements.
- 45儲be profitable, yield profitShrines are often visited to seek blessings for business success and profit.
- 46舛dancing radical (no. 136)This radical represents the movement seen in sacred shrine dances.
- 47璽emperor's sealRelates to the imperial seal and the divine authority of the emperor.
- 48祥auspicious, happiness, blessednessDescribes the good omens and auspicious signs sought at spiritual sites.
- 49祈pray, wishThe primary action of offering prayers and making wishes at a shrine.
- 50辣pungent, spicy, harshCan refer to the harsh or severe nature of certain spiritual disciplines.
- 51舷gunwaleRelates to water-based rituals or shrines located along the shore.
- 52瑚ancestral offering receptacle, coralRepresents precious coral or vessels used for ancestral offerings.