Imi - Imi

Japanese: 忌∥斎 - いみ

One of the fundamental sacred concepts and customs in ancient Japanese religious culture. In the Kojiki, Nihon Shoki and other classics, it is typically written as 斎 (avoidance) or 帰 (ban). In modern times, it is considered a prohibition or taboo, but in the classical sense, it includes not only a passive attitude of avoidance and customs toward abnormal sanctity, but also active negotiation and abstinence. In addition to revered sanctity such as sublime, pure, great, and powerful, the concept of sanctity in ancient times also included impure sanctity such as danger, evil, and filth, which should be avoided. Basically, it means something that is isolated from everyday life as an abnormal mystery and prohibited from being used by the world.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

日本古来の宗教文化に基本的な神聖観念および習俗の一つ。《古事記》《日本書紀》その他の古典で，典型的には〈斎〉と〈忌〉とに表記上使い分けられる。現代では禁忌ないしタブーに比定されるが，古典的には異常な神聖に対する消極的な忌避の態度や習俗ばかりでなく，積極的な交渉や謹慎のそれをも含む。原始古代の神聖観念には，崇高，清浄，偉大，強力など畏敬すべき神聖のほかに危険，邪悪，汚穢（おわい）など忌避すべき不浄な神聖も含まれており，基本的には異常な神秘として日常から隔離され俗的扱いを禁止される意味をもつ。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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