榊さかき

noun

sakaki tree; Cleyera japonica

An evergreen tree sacred in Shinto, often used in rituals and planted at shrines. The specific species Cleyera japonica is the most common reference.

• 神じん社じゃの境けい内だいには榊さかきが植うえられている。

  Sakaki trees are planted within the shrine grounds.

• 神かみ棚だなに榊さかきを供そなえる。

  Offer sakaki branches at the household Shinto altar.

noun

sacred evergreen; shrine evergreen

A broader sense referring to any evergreen tree planted or used at a Shinto shrine, not limited to Cleyera japonica. Often used in ritual contexts.

• 祭まつりのとき、榊さかきの枝えだで清きよめる。

  During the festival, they purify with branches of the sacred evergreen.