noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
pressing one's hands together in prayer; gassho
The gesture of placing palms together, often in Buddhist or Shinto prayer, but also used in everyday greetings and thanks.
お寺で合掌して祈った。
I pressed my hands together in prayer at the temple.
食事の前に合掌する習慣がある。
There is a custom of putting one's hands together before meals.
noun
triangular frame of a thatched roof
Architectural term for the triangular gable frame in traditional thatched roofs, resembling hands pressed together.
合掌造りの屋根は合掌と呼ばれる三角形の骨組みで支えられている。
The roof of a gassho-style house is supported by a triangular frame called gassho.
expression
Used as a closing phrase in Buddhist correspondence, similar to 'sincerely yours' in English letters.
See also: 敬具
手紙の最後に「合掌」と書かれていた。
At the end of the letter, 'Gassho' was written.