Translation guide
In Japanese Buddhism, memorial services are held at set intervals after a person's death to honor the deceased and pray for their peaceful afterlife. The most common term is 法事 (houji), but other words like 法要 (houyou) and 回忌 (kaiki) are used in specific contexts.
To refer to a Buddhist memorial service in general, especially one held at home or a temple on a death anniversary.
The most common, everyday term for a Buddhist memorial service. It can refer to the ceremony itself or the gathering afterward.
来週、祖母の法事があります。
Next week, we have a memorial service for my grandmother.
法事の後で、親戚と食事をしました。
After the memorial service, we had a meal with relatives.
A more formal term often used in temple settings or official announcements. It emphasizes the religious ceremony aspect.
本日は故人の三回忌法要を執り行います。
Today we will hold the third anniversary memorial service for the deceased.
Refers broadly to acts of making offerings and prayers for the repose of the deceased. It can be used for memorial services, but also for visiting graves or making donations.
お盆には先祖の供養をします。
During Obon, we hold memorial services for our ancestors.
To refer to a memorial service held on a particular anniversary of the death, such as the first, third, or seventh year.
Used with a number to indicate the anniversary year (e.g., 一回忌 for the first anniversary). Often combined with 法要.
父の七回忌の法要を営みました。
We held a memorial service for the seventh anniversary of my father's death.
Another term for death anniversary, often used in compound words like 年忌法要 (nenki houyou).
年忌法要の日程を決めました。
We set the date for the anniversary memorial service.
Specifically the memorial service held one year after death.
The first anniversary memorial service. This is a very common and important event in Japanese Buddhism.
一周忌には親族が集まります。
Relatives gather for the first anniversary memorial service.
A memorial service held every month after death, usually until the first anniversary.
The monthly death anniversary, on which a small memorial service or visit to the grave may be held.
月命日にお墓参りに行きます。
I visit the grave on the monthly anniversary of the death.
法事 (houji) is the general, everyday word for a memorial service, including the social gathering. 法要 (houyou) is more formal and focuses on the religious ceremony itself. In casual conversation, 法事 is more common.
Major memorial services are held on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 13th, 17th, 23rd, 27th, and 33rd anniversaries, though customs vary by sect and region. The 1st and 3rd are the most widely observed.