Japanese symbol for “presiding”

司式

ししき

Romaji: shishiki

officiating (a ceremony); presiding (over a service)

In Japanese, presiding is 司式, read ししき (shishiki).

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

n, vs officiating (a ceremony); presiding (over a service)

Kanji and stroke order

司

director, official, govt office

on: シ
kun: つかさど.る

5 strokes · JLPT 2

式

style, ceremony, rite

on: シキ

6 strokes · JLPT 2

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
上司	じょうし joushi	(one's) superior; (one's) boss; the higher-ups
司法	しほう shihou	administration of justice; judicature
司会	しかい shikai	leading a meeting; presiding over a meeting; officiating at a ceremony
寿司	すし sushi	sushi; range of dishes made with vinegared rice combined with fish, vegetables, egg, etc.
司令	しれい shirei	command; commander; commandant
司書	ししょ shisho	librarian
公式	こうしき koushiki	official; formal
形式	けいしき keishiki	form (as opposed to substance)

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.