1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “詣” (pronounced “moi” or “to visit”) primarily means to visit a shrine or temple, often for worship or prayer. It conveys the act of going to a sacred place with a spiritual purpose.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “詣” is a compound character, which combines elements of phonetic and semantic components. It is classified as a 形声文字 (phonetic-ideographic character), where the left part “言” (word) relates to speech or communication, and the right part “冂” (a variant of “米”) contributes to the sound.
Radical: The radical of “詣” is “言” (word), which is commonly associated with language, speech, and communication.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases:
- 詣でる (moideru) – to visit a shrine or temple
- 詣り (moiri) – a visit to a shrine or temple
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 今週末に神社に詣でる予定です。 (I plan to visit the shrine this weekend.)
- 彼は毎年お正月に詣りに行きます。 (He goes to visit the shrine every New Year.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji:
- 参拝 (sanpai) – to visit and worship at a shrine or temple. While both “詣” and “参拝” involve visiting sacred places, “参拝” emphasizes the act of worship more explicitly.
Antonyms:
- 離れる (hanareru) – to leave or separate. This word represents the opposite action of visiting a sacred place.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Connection to Japanese Culture: The act of “詣” is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, particularly in Shinto and Buddhist practices. Visiting shrines and temples is a common ritual during festivals and New Year celebrations.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common saying is “詣でるは心の清め” (To visit a shrine purifies the heart), highlighting the spiritual significance of such visits in Japanese tradition.