Literary or formal term for the sky or heavens, often with a poetic or religious nuance. Contrasts with 下土 (the earth below).
See also: 下土
The stars in the heavens were shining beautifully.
God; the Lord; the Creator
Used in religious or philosophical contexts to refer to a supreme deity. Not a common everyday word for God; 神 (かみ) is the usual term.
He believes in the existence of God.
ascension into heaven
Refers to the act of ascending to heaven, often in a religious or mythological sense. Rare standalone use; more common in compound expressions.
There is a feast day celebrating Christ's ascension into heaven.
the whole world; throughout heaven and earth
fine weather; splendid weather
abdicated emperor; retired emperor
Composed of 上 (above, upper) and 天 (heaven, sky). The reading じょうてん is the on'yomi. The word has classical Chinese origins and retains a formal, literary tone in modern Japanese.