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似姿 (にすがた, nisugata) Japanese meaning: effigy | Kotomora

似に姿すがた

に

す

が

た

Meanings

1

effigy; likeness; portrait; statue

Refers to a physical representation of a person, such as a statue, portrait, or effigy. Often used in historical or ceremonial contexts.

祭まつりでは、悪あく霊りょうを追おい払はらうために藁わらで作つくっ

Kanji

似becoming, resemble, counterfeit
姿figure, form, shape

Related words

像ぞう
像 is a more common word for statue or image, while 似姿 emphasizes the likeness to a specific person and is less frequent.
肖しょう像ぞう
肖像 specifically means portrait, often a painting or photograph, whereas 似姿 can refer to any physical representation including statues.

Etymology

Compound of 似 (に, 'resemblance') and 姿 (すがた, 'figure'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it likely emerged as a term for a figure made in someone's likeness.

た

似に

姿すがた

を

燃も

やす

。

At the festival, they burn an effigy made of straw to drive away evil spirits.

その寺てらには、開かい祖その似に姿すがたが安あん置ちされている。

A statue of the founder is enshrined in that temple.