holy monk; saintly priest; Buddhist solitary; Buddhist missionary
Refers to a highly virtuous Buddhist monk, often one who lives in seclusion or travels to spread teachings. Sense 2 is an honorific use for any monk. Sense 3 specifically denotes a solitary practitioner. Sense 4 is a missionary, as in 高野聖 (Kōya hijiri).
He was hailed as a master of poetry.
Kōya hijiri were monks who traveled around the country to spread Buddhism in the past.
He left the secular world and secluded himself in the mountains as a holy monk.
A person of exceptional virtue, not limited to Buddhism. Can be used metaphorically for anyone of great moral character.
She is like a saint.
Archaic honorific term for the emperor. Not used in modern Japanese.
In ancient documents, there are examples where 聖 refers to the emperor.
Used in the pattern 〜の聖 to indicate a master or expert in a field, e.g., 歌の聖 (master of poetry).
He was a poet so great that he was called the 'master of poetry'.
He is revered as a saint in that region.
高僧 specifically means a high-ranking or eminent monk, while 聖 stresses personal virtue or solitary/missionary practice rather than institutional rank.
sword hilt shaped like a vajra handle · plain wooden sword hilt
highly esteemed emperor's reign
Standard kanji spelling for all senses.
Kana spelling is sometimes used for clarity or in children's materials.
Originally referred to a person of high virtue or holiness, especially in a Buddhist context. The reading ひじり is of native Japanese origin, while the kanji 聖 carries the meaning of 'holy' or 'sage'. The exact derivation of ひじり is uncertain, but it may be related to 日知り (sun-knower) or 火知り (fire-knower), suggesting one who knows the divine or natural order.