noun
offering to a deity or spirit
Refers to an offering made to a god, buddha, or the spirit of a deceased person, often at a grave or altar.
墓前に花を手向ける。
I offer flowers at the grave.
noun
farewell gift; parting tribute
A gift or tribute given to someone who is leaving on a journey or departing, often as a token of remembrance or good wishes.
I offer a song as a farewell tribute to my departing friend.
供え物 is a general term for offerings to gods or buddhas, while 手向け specifically emphasizes the act of offering, often at a grave or to a departing person.
The word is composed of 手 (hand) and 向け (directing), suggesting the act of directing one's hands in offering. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is conventionally associated with presenting something to a deity or person.