also: しいそん
extreme reverence; deeply revered person
Refers to the highest object of respect, often in a historical or literary context. Can denote the abstract quality of supreme reverence or a person who embodies it.
He was revered as a supremely respected figure.
Specifically used to refer to the Emperor of Japan as the ultimate object of reverence. This usage is formal and traditional.
The Emperor's position as the supreme revered one held special historical significance.
Standard kanji form; the reading しそん is the modern standard.
Obsolete reading; it is out-dated kana usage.
Composed of 至 (ultimate) and 尊 (revered). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the compound has been used in classical Chinese and Japanese texts to denote the highest object of respect.