龕がん

noun

niche for a Buddhist image; alcove

A recessed space in a wall or altar for enshrining a Buddhist statue or image. Often found in temples or traditional homes.

• お寺てらの本ほん堂どうには、仏ぶつ像ぞうを安あん置ちする龕がんが設もうけられている。

  In the main hall of the temple, there is a niche for enshrining a Buddhist statue.

noun

miniature shrine for a Buddhist image

A small portable shrine, similar to a 厨子 (zushi), used to house a Buddhist image. Often placed on an altar or carried in processions.

See also: 厨子

• この龕がんには、小ちいさな観かん音のん像ぞうが納おさめられている。

  This miniature shrine contains a small Kannon statue.

noun

portable shrine for moving a deceased person (Okinawa)

Regional usage in Okinawa: a portable shrine used to transport the deceased from their home to the graveyard. Not commonly known outside Okinawa.

• 沖おき縄なわでは、かつて龕がんを使つかって故こ人じんを墓ぼ地ちまで運はこんだ。

  In Okinawa, a portable shrine called 龕 was once used to carry the deceased to the graveyard.