聖
Meanings
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).
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'.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉の聖the master/saint of a certain field
He was hailed as a master of poetry.
- 聖として敬われるto be revered as a saint/holy man
He is revered as a saint in that region.