noun
heaven-sent child; child granted by prayer
Refers to a child believed to be given by the gods or Buddha in answer to Shinto or Buddhist prayers. Often used in traditional or religious contexts.
長年祈り続けた末に、彼らは申し子を授かった。
After years of praying, they were blessed with a heaven-sent child.
noun
child of an era; product of the times
Used figuratively in the pattern ～の申し子 to describe a person or thing that embodies the spirit or characteristics of a particular era, movement, or environment.
彼はまさに昭和の申し子だ。
He is truly a child of the Showa era.
この作品はデジタル時代の申し子と言える。
This work can be called a product of the digital age.