noun
General term for a magical spell or curse, often used in fantasy or occult contexts.
魔女は彼に呪をかけた。
The witch cast a spell on him.
その呪は代々続いていると言われている。
It is said that the curse has been passed down for generations.
noun
Buddhist term for a sacred incantation or mantra, often in Sanskrit.
僧侶が長い呪を唱え始めた。
The monk began to chant a long dharani.
The kanji 呪 is composed of 口 (mouth) and 兄 (elder brother), originally associated with incantations or prayers. The reading じゅ is the on'yomi, likely derived from Middle Chinese. The variant 咒 is an older form.