Sorei
Encyclopedia
The Japanese word ‘sorei’ (祖霊) refers to the spirits of ancestors.
Specifically it refers to the spirits of those ancestors that have been the
target of special memorial services that have been held for them at certain
fixed times after their death. The dates and the frequencies of these services
vary widely depending on the region of Japan. Suitable occasions may for example be 33 and 50 years after death.
A special belief connected with sorei is the notion that the memorial
services result in the ancestral spirit successively losing its individuality,
eventually becoming an entirely deindividualized part of the collective of
sorei. However, depending on the region people
may think that these services are merely aimed at properly disposing or
pacifying the ancestral spirit.
The folklorist Yanagita Kunio has asserted that the rituals and
ideas around sorei could be fitted into a general scheme whereby
ancestors become not only protectors, but kami
or ujigami
.
However, while it is possible that in the distant past such a development with
regard to certain ancestors has occurred, according to other scholars that
cannot be proven. Contemporary Japanese may,
in relation to their recently dead, not think about the ancient notion of
ujigami at all, but they do have a notion about the spirits of the dead becoming
some sort of enlightened being. Indeed, another word for the departed soul is
in Japanese hotoke
, which also means Buddha.
Specifically it refers to the spirits of those ancestors that have been the
target of special memorial services that have been held for them at certain
fixed times after their death. The dates and the frequencies of these services
vary widely depending on the region of Japan. Suitable occasions may for example be 33 and 50 years after death.
A special belief connected with sorei is the notion that the memorial
services result in the ancestral spirit successively losing its individuality,
eventually becoming an entirely deindividualized part of the collective of
sorei. However, depending on the region people
may think that these services are merely aimed at properly disposing or
pacifying the ancestral spirit.
The folklorist Yanagita Kunio has asserted that the rituals and
ideas around sorei could be fitted into a general scheme whereby
ancestors become not only protectors, but kami
Kami
is the Japanese word for the spirits, natural forces, or essence in the Shinto faith. Although the word is sometimes translated as "god" or "deity", some Shinto scholars argue that such a translation can cause a misunderstanding of the term...
or ujigami
Ujigami
An is a guardian god or spirit of a particular place in the Shinto religion of Japan.- Usage :The ujigami was prayed to for a number of reasons, including protection from sickness, success in endeavors, and good harvests.- History :...
.
However, while it is possible that in the distant past such a development with
regard to certain ancestors has occurred, according to other scholars that
cannot be proven. Contemporary Japanese may,
in relation to their recently dead, not think about the ancient notion of
ujigami at all, but they do have a notion about the spirits of the dead becoming
some sort of enlightened being. Indeed, another word for the departed soul is
in Japanese hotoke
Hotoke
The Japanese noun Note that the very same kanji 仏 in modern Japanese can be also read futsu, but is often used as an abbreviation for the word "furansu", or France...
, which also means Buddha.