also: そくえ
noun
ritual impurity from death or blood
Archaic term from Shinto and pre-modern Japanese culture, referring to a state of uncleanliness caused by contact with death, childbirth, menstruation, etc. Not used in modern everyday language.
古い文献では、死や出産に触れることを「触穢」と呼んだ。
In old texts, contact with death or childbirth was called 'shokue' (ritual impurity).
穢れ is a broader term for spiritual impurity or defilement in Shinto, while 触穢 specifically refers to impurity acquired through contact with certain sources.
Compound of 触 (contact) and 穢 (impurity). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term is associated with Shinto concepts of ritual pollution.