sacred evergreen tree; shrine evergreen
Specifically refers to an evergreen tree, often a sakaki (Cleyera japonica), planted or used at Shinto shrines. The term emphasizes its sacred nature. Compare with 賢木 (さかき), which can refer to the same tree in a broader or less explicitly shrine-focused context.
See also: 榊
A sacred evergreen tree is planted within the shrine grounds.
Prepare the sacred evergreen branches for the Shinto ritual.
賢木 (さかき) is a more general term for the sakaki tree, while 真榊 (まさかき) specifically denotes a sacred evergreen used in shrine contexts.
Standard kanji spelling for the sacred evergreen tree.
Alternate kanji spelling using 賢木; less common than 真榊.
The prefix 真 (ま) adds a sense of 'true' or 'sacred' to 榊 (さかき), the sakaki tree. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is conventionally associated with sacred shrine evergreens.