Meaning
奉 is not the everyday word for "give" or "help." It means to offer, present, or serve with genuine reverence — directed toward a superior, a deity, or a sacred cause. The word carries formality and weight that casual vocabulary simply doesn't reach.
The character traces back to a pictograph of hands raised high, lifting something precious. The top of 奉 suggests arms stretched upward; the strokes at the base show a person standing firm. It captures the posture of presenting something with both hands — a gesture that remains a mark of respect in Japanese culture today.
Eight strokes, one layered idea. 奉 is a Jōyō kanji introduced at grade 8 — not something you'd use in a text message. But it turns up constantly once you know to look: shrine signage, historical novels, ceremonial documents, speeches about loyalty and duty. Learning it opens a register of Japanese that most textbooks barely touch.
Its range is wide. 奉 appears in modern volunteer brochures and ancient shrine rituals alike — a rare character that connects Japan's feudal past to its present-day culture of civic service.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
Two on'yomi readings, two distinct worlds. Both preserve the core sense of respectful offering, but they surface in very different vocabulary.
ホウ (HOU) — The workhorse reading. It anchors most compound words you'll actually encounter, covering modern volunteerism, religious offerings, and formal service alike.
- 奉仕 (houshi) — service, volunteer work; selfless dedication to helping others
- 奉納 (hounou) — offering or dedication to a shrine; taiko drumming and dance at festivals often carry this name
- 奉公 (houkou) — service to one's lord or employer; historically, working as a servant or apprentice in a noble household
ブ (BU) — A rarer reading, living mostly in historical vocabulary. Its defining word is 奉行 (bugyou) — the magistrate who kept order in Edo-period towns, a fixture of samurai dramas.
- 奉行 (bugyou) — magistrate, commissioner; a key administrative official during the Edo period
- 町奉行 (machi bugyou) — town magistrate responsible for law, order, and civil administration in Edo-period cities
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi takes you into classical Japanese. たてまつる is formal to the point of being ceremonial — you'll find it in prayers, old poetry, and ritual speech.
たてまつ-る (tatematsuru) — to offer or present with deep respect, specifically from someone of lower status to a superior. Dropping this word into speech immediately signals formality and reverence. It belongs to a register far removed from ordinary polite Japanese.
- 奉る (tatematsuru) — to offer, to present respectfully, to serve with devotion
- 奉り物 (tatematsuri mono) — an offering; something presented as a gift of reverence to a higher power or person
Common Words & Compounds
奉 appears across a surprisingly wide range — shrine festivals, Edo-period courtrooms, modern community programs, and philosophical writing all use it.
Service and Volunteer Work
- 奉仕 (houshi) — service, volunteer work; you'll see this on hospital volunteer boards and retail store signs alike
- 奉仕活動 (houshi katsudou) — volunteer activities, community service; standard phrasing in school clubs and local government announcements
- 奉仕精神 (houshi seishin) — the spirit of selfless service; doing for others without expecting anything back
- 奉公 (houkou) — service, apprenticeship; in the Edo period, it meant living and working in a household for the master. Today it occasionally surfaces in figurative use for long-term loyal employment.
Religious and Ceremonial Offerings
- 奉納 (hounou) — an offering dedicated to a shrine or temple; not just objects, but performances — taiko drumming, dance, even sumo matches conducted as acts of worship
- 奉献 (houken) — consecration, dedication; giving something valued to a sacred entity or cause
- 奉迎 (hougei) — a formal ceremonial welcome for a dignitary or a deity's procession
Historical and Official Terms
- 奉行 (bugyou) — magistrate, commissioner; the Edo-period official who administered justice and public affairs; famous figures include 大岡越前守忠相
- 町奉行 (machi bugyou) — town magistrate; the official overseeing law and order in urban Edo-period areas
Belief and Devotion
- 信奉 (shinpou) — belief, conviction; 信奉者 (shinpousha) is a devoted follower or true believer
- 奉ずる (houzuru) — a literary verb for serving or following something deeply; used for ideological and spiritual commitment, not everyday tasks
Example Sentences
彼女は地域の奉仕活動に毎週参加しています。
Kanojo wa chiiki no houshi katsudou ni maishuu sanka shite imasu.
She participates in community volunteer activities every week.
神社で太鼓の奉納が行われた。
Jinja de taiko no hounou ga okonawareta.
A taiko drumming performance was offered at the shrine.
彼は長年にわたって国に奉仕してきた。
Kare wa naganen ni watatte kuni ni houshi shite kita.
He has served the country for many years.
この絵馬は神様に奉るために買いました。
Kono ema wa kamisama ni tatematsuru tame ni kaimashita.
I bought this votive tablet to offer to the gods.
江戸時代、奉行は町の秩序を守る重要な役割を担っていた。
Edo jidai, bugyou wa machi no chitsujo wo mamoru juuyou na yakuwari wo ninatte ita.
During the Edo period, magistrates bore the critical responsibility of keeping order in the towns.
その哲学者は自由主義を深く信奉していた。
Sono tetsugakusha wa jiyuushugi wo fukaku shinpou shite ita.
That philosopher was a dedicated adherent of liberalism.
彼女は奉仕の精神を大切にしながら毎日働いている。
Kanojo wa houshi no seishin wo taisetsu ni shinagara mainichi hataraite iru.
She brings a spirit of genuine service to her work every day.
地元のお祭りで、子供たちが神社に踊りを奉納した。
Jimoto no omatsuri de, kodomotachi ga jinja ni odori wo hounou shita.
At the local festival, the children offered a dance performance to the shrine.
父は定年まで市役所に奉公し、多くの人に感謝された。
Chichi wa teinen made shiyakusho ni houkou shi, ooku no hito ni kansha sareta.
My father dedicated himself to the city hall until retirement, earning the gratitude of many people.
彼は生涯を芸術に奉り、多くの名作を残した。
Kare wa shougai wo geijutsu ni tatematsuri, ooku no meisaku wo nokoshita.
He devoted his entire life to art, leaving behind many masterpieces.
Memory Tip
Picture a shrine priest at an altar, arms lifted high, offering a lacquered box to the heavens. The top of 奉 looks like those outstretched arms. The strokes at the bottom are the priest's feet, planted firmly in devotion.
For ホウ: "HOW do you honor the gods? Hold it HIGH." For たてまつる: "Tate-matsuru — stand tall and present it." The mnemonic works because the character actually looks like the action it describes.