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)
We hold a memorial service during Obon to console the spirits of our ancestors.
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.
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
The vengeful ghost of Taira no Masakado was feared for bringing curses.
In Kyoto, goryō-e ceremonies to appease vengeful spirits have been held since ancient times.
ceremony to appease evil gods and spirits of the dead
Compound of 御 (go, honorific prefix) and 霊 (ryō, spirit). The reading ごりょう is the on'yomi. The term has been used since the Heian period in religious and folk contexts.