御ご霊りょう

noun

spirit of a deceased person; departed soul

Honorific term for the spirit of a deceased person, often used in religious or respectful contexts. Compare みたま, which can be more general.

See also: 御霊 (みたま)

• 先せん祖ぞの御ご霊りょうを慰なぐさめるために、お盆ぼんに供く養ようを行おこないます。

  We hold a memorial service during Obon to console the spirits of our ancestors.

noun

vengeful ghost; wrathful spirit

Specifically refers to a spirit that seeks revenge or causes harm, often due to a grudge from life. Common in folklore and historical contexts.

• 平たいらの将まさ門かどの御ご霊りょうは、祟たたりをなすと恐おそれられた。

  The vengeful ghost of Taira no Masakado was feared for bringing curses.

noun

ceremony to appease spirits; goryō-e

Abbreviation of 御霊会 (ごりょうえ), a ritual to pacify vengeful spirits and prevent disasters. Historical and religious term.

See also: 御霊会

• 京きょう都とでは、御ご霊りょうを鎮しずめるための御ご霊りょう会えが古ふるくから行おこなわれてきた。

  In Kyoto, goryō-e ceremonies to appease vengeful spirits have been held since ancient times.