also: ひさぎ
noun
Eurya japonica
An evergreen shrub native to East Asia, related to sakaki. Often used in hedges or as a sacred plant in Shinto contexts.
ヒサカキはサカキに似た常緑低木です。
Eurya japonica is an evergreen shrub similar to sakaki.
神社の境内にヒサカキが植えられている。
Eurya japonica is planted on the shrine grounds.
Sakaki (Cleyera japonica) is a related but distinct species, more commonly used in Shinto rituals. ヒサカキ is often used as a substitute when sakaki is unavailable.
The name likely derives from 姫榊 (hime-sakaki), meaning 'princess sakaki', referring to its smaller size compared to true sakaki. The exact origin is uncertain.