noun
light offered to a deity; sacred light
A lamp or light presented as a religious offering at Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples. Often seen in the compound 御神灯 (ごしんとう) or related terms like 御灯 (みあかし).
神社の拝殿に御神灯がともされていた。
A sacred light was lit in the worship hall of the shrine.
noun
paper lantern at a performer's door
A paper lantern traditionally hung near the entrance of a geisha house or performer's dressing room, often bearing the name of the performer. This usage is historical and may be encountered in period settings or traditional entertainment districts.
花街の入り口には、芸妓の名前を書いた御神灯が下がっていた。
At the entrance of the geisha district, paper lanterns bearing the names of geisha were hung.
Combination of ご and traditional 燈; less common.
Compound of 御 (ご, honorific prefix) + 神 (しん, 'god') + 灯 (とう, 'light'). The reading ごしんとう is standard; ごじんとう is a less common variant.