Translation guide
The act of dedicating something to a sacred purpose, often in a religious ceremony. In Japanese, the expression depends on the context: Shinto vs. Buddhist, formal vs. everyday, and whether it's a place, object, or person.
To express the act of making something holy or dedicating it to a deity, in a general religious sense.
A formal term for dedicating an offering or object to a deity or temple. Used in both Shinto and Buddhist contexts.
新しい鐘を寺院に奉献した。
They consecrated a new bell to the temple.
Specifically means 'to set apart as sacred'. Often used in Christian contexts for consecration of bread and wine, or for dedicating a church.
司祭がパンとぶどう酒を聖別した。
The priest consecrated the bread and wine.
Purification or cleansing, often used in Shinto rituals to make a place or person ritually pure. Can imply consecration in a broader sense.
神主が土地を清めた。
The Shinto priest consecrated the land.
To refer to the Shinto ritual of inviting a deity into an object or place, making it sacred.
Literally 'to bring down the god'. Describes the act of inviting a deity to inhabit a sacred object or space, a core part of consecration in Shinto.
新しいお札に神を降ろす儀式を行った。
They performed a ritual to consecrate the new talisman by inviting the deity into it.
A ritual to pacify or enshrine a spirit, often performed when consecrating a new building or site.
地鎮祭では土地の神を鎮魂する。
In the ground-breaking ceremony, they consecrate the land by pacifying its spirits.
To refer to the Buddhist ritual of consecrating a statue or image, often by painting in the eyes.
Literally 'opening the eyes'. The ceremony to consecrate a Buddhist image, imbuing it with spiritual presence.
仏像の開眼供養が行われた。
A consecration ceremony for the Buddha statue was held.
Literally 'putting in the soul'. A more colloquial term for consecrating a statue or object by infusing it with spirit.
この仏像はまだ魂入れをしていない。
This Buddha statue hasn't been consecrated yet.
To express the consecration or ordination of a person into a religious role.
Ordination, especially in Christian contexts. The act of consecrating someone as a priest or bishop.
彼は司祭に叙階された。
He was consecrated as a priest.
To become a Buddhist monk or nun; renouncing the secular world. Not exactly 'consecration' but often translated as such in a broad sense.
To express a non-religious, solemn dedication to a cause or purpose.
To dedicate or offer. Can be used figuratively for consecrating one's life to a cause.
彼は生涯を芸術に捧げた。
He consecrated his life to art.
To devote oneself entirely. A stronger, more formal phrase for consecration of self.
彼女は教育に一身を捧げた。
She consecrated herself to education.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'consecration'. Always consider the religious context (Shinto, Buddhist, Christian) and whether it's a place, object, or person. Using 奉献 or 聖別 in casual conversation may sound overly formal or unnatural.
この神社は奉献された。
This shrine was consecrated. (unnatural unless in a very formal document)
清め (purification) is a broader concept in Shinto, often involving water or salt, while 聖別 (sanctification) is more specific to setting apart as sacred, commonly used in Christianity. For Shinto consecration of objects, 神を降ろす is more accurate.
He was consecrated as a monk.