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似姿 (にすがた) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

似に姿すがた

に

す

が

た

Meanings

1

noun

effigy; likeness; portrait; statue

Refers to a physical representation of a person, such as a statue, portrait, or effigy. Often used in historical or ceremonial contexts.

祭まつりでは、悪あく霊りょうを追おい払はらうために藁わらで作つくった似に姿すがたを燃もやす。
At the festival, they burn an effigy made of straw to drive away evil spirits.
その寺てらには、開かい祖その似

Kanji

似becoming, resemble, counterfeit
姿figure, form, shape

Similar words

像ぞう
像 is a more common word for statue or image, while 似姿 emphasizes the likeness to a specific person and is less frequent.
肖しょう像ぞう
肖像 specifically means portrait, often a painting or photograph, whereas 似姿 can refer to any physical representation including statues.

Etymology

Compound of 似 (に, 'resemblance') and 姿 (すがた, 'figure'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it likely emerged as a term for a figure made in someone's likeness.

に

姿すがた

が

安あん

置ち

さ

れ

て

いる

。

A statue of the founder is enshrined in that temple.