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.
Sakaki trees are planted within the shrine grounds.
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.
During the festival, they purify with branches of the sacred evergreen.
神棚に榊を供える。
Offer sakaki branches at the household Shinto altar.
sacred evergreen tree; shrine evergreen
Standard kanji spelling; a kokuji (Japan-made kanji) combining 木 (tree) and 神 (god).
Kana spelling is sometimes used when the kanji is not available or for clarity.
Ateji spelling used in classical literature and poetry; not common in modern writing.
The kanji 榊 is a kokuji (Japan-made character) combining 木 (tree) and 神 (god), reflecting its sacred use. The reading さかき is of native Japanese origin, possibly related to 栄える (sakaeru, 'to prosper') or 境 (sakai, 'boundary'), but the exact derivation is uncertain.