巡礼の旅

• Reading: じゅんれいのたび
• Romaji: junrei no tabi
• Kanji breakdown: 巡 (jun) — patrol, tour, go around; 礼 (rei) — worship, rite, courtesy; 旅 (tabi) — journey, travel, trip
• Pronunciation: /dʑɯɴ.ɾe.i.no.ta.bi/

Meaning

Religious pilgrimage; pilgrim's journey. A journey undertaken for religious or spiritual purposes.

A noun phrase composed of 巡礼 (junrei, pilgrimage/pilgrim) + の (possessive particle) + 旅 (tabi, journey/trip). Refers to a journey to sacred places for religious devotion. In Japan, famous pilgrimages include the 四国八十八箇所 (Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage) and 熊野古道 (Kumano Kodou pilgrimage route). Also used for non-Japanese pilgrimages such as the Camino de Santiago. Can be used figuratively for any meaningful journey of self-discovery.

Examples

1. 退職後、四国への巡礼の旅に出かけた。 After retiring, I set out on a pilgrimage to Shikoku.
2. 巡礼の旅を通じて人生を見つめ直した。 Through the pilgrimage, I took a fresh look at my life.
3. 毎年多くの人が聖地への巡礼の旅に出る。 Every year, many people set out on pilgrimages to sacred sites.

Usage Guide

Context: religion, travel, spirituality

Tone: reverent

Origin & History

Compound of Sino-Japanese 巡礼 (junrei — from 巡, tour/patrol + 礼, worship/rite) + Japanese の (no, possessive) + 旅 (tabi, journey). Literally 'journey of worshipful pilgrimage.'

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal