King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “consecration”

Romaji: houken
dedication; presentation; consecration; offer (to a shrine)

In Japanese, consecration is , read (houken).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

  1. n, vs, vt dedication; presentation; consecration; offer (to a shrine)

Kanji and stroke order

observance, offer, present
on: ホウ、ブ
kun: たてまつ.る、まつ.る、ほう.ずる
8 strokes · JLPT 1
offering, counter for drinks, present
on: ケン、コン
kun: たてまつ.る
13 strokes · JLPT 1

Other Japanese words for “consecration”

WordReadingMeaning
せいべつ seibetsuconsecration
しゅくべつ shukubetsuconsecration (of a person or thing, in Catholicism); sanctification; prayer of sanctification
しんせいか shinseikasanctification; consecration
せいか seikasanctification; consecration

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
ほうし houshiservice; ministry; attendance
ほうのう hounoudedication; offering; presentation
しんぽう shinpoubelief; faith; adherence
ぶぎょう bugyoumagistrate; shogunate administrator
ほうこう houkoulive-in domestic service; live-in apprenticeship
まちぶぎょう machibugyou(Edo-period) town magistrate
こうけん koukencontribution (furthering a goal or cause); services (to a cause)
ぶんけん bunkenliterature; books (reference); document

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.

Last posts

  1. What Size Shinai Does a Child Need for Kendo Practice
  2. Best Polypropylene Bokken for Hard Contact Training
  3. Best Foam Swords for Kids Martial Arts and Safe Practice
  4. Are Cold Steel Training Swords Good for Practice
  5. Shinai Maintenance and Essential Tools for Bamboo Care
  6. Best Shinai for Kendo Beginners Choosing Your First Sword
  7. Choosing the Best Bokken for Kendo Kata
  8. Using a Tsuba on Your Bokken for Partner Practice
  9. How Much Should You Spend on a Wooden Practice Sword
  10. How Long Should a Bokken Be for Your Height