also: こしつ
noun
ancient practices; old customs
Refers to traditional customs, precedents, or historical practices, often studied in the context of court or samurai traditions.
彼は日本史の故実に詳しい。
He is knowledgeable about the ancient practices of Japanese history.
故実を調べるために古文書を読んだ。
I read old documents to research old customs.
Obsolete reading; modern usage is こじつ.
慣習 refers to general customs or conventions, while 故実 specifically denotes ancient or historical practices, often with a scholarly or traditional nuance.
Compound of 故 (old, past) and 実 (truth, reality), referring to factual records or practices from the past. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.