noun
fire prevention (by divine power)
Often refers to protection from fire through spiritual means, such as charms, rituals, or the favor of a deity. Not used for modern fire safety measures like smoke detectors.
この神社は火伏せのご利益で知られている。
This shrine is known for its divine protection against fire.
火伏せのお札を台所に貼った。
I put up a fire-prevention charm in the kitchen.
防火 is the standard modern term for fire prevention and fire safety, including practical measures like fireproof construction and fire drills. 火伏せ is limited to traditional, spiritual, or talismanic protection against fire.
Compound of 火 (hi, 'fire') and 伏せ (fuse, the nominalized stem of 伏せる 'to cover, to hide, to lay low'), literally 'fire-subduing'. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but the word has long been used in folk religion and Shinto contexts for warding off fire.