noun
ritual pre-battle killing; blood offering to raise morale
Historical term for killing an enemy soldier before battle as a morale-boosting ritual. Rare in modern usage outside historical or figurative contexts.
戦国時代には、合戦の前に血祭りをあげる習慣があった。
In the Warring States period, there was a custom of performing a blood offering before battle.
noun
Figurative extension of the ritual sense, used for any scene of brutal killing or carnage. Often appears in dramatic or literary descriptions.
抗争は血祭りとなり、多くの犠牲者が出た。
The conflict turned into a bloodbath, with many casualties.
noun
Humorous slang likening menstruation to a blood ritual. Used casually among close friends; can be considered crude.
「今月も血祭りが始まった」と彼女は冗談で言った。
"The blood festival has started again this month," she joked.