会|えe[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. noungathering (esp. Buddhist, festive, etc.)

• Synonym集まりあつまりNeutralThe everyday word for a gathering, as in 「町内の集まり」; 「会（え）」 is reserved for Buddhist services and festive events.
• Synonym集いつどいWrittenA get-together, as in 「音楽の集い」; often appears in event names and carries a warm, refined tone. Belongs to written style.
• Synonym会同かいどうFormalA gathering for a meeting, as when officials confer together; formal and rarely used in modern Japanese.
• Related祭りまつりNeutralA festival or shrine celebration, as in 「夏祭り」; leans toward Shinto festivals, while 「会（え）」 leans toward Buddhist events.
• RelatedパーティーNeutralLoanword for a party or social gathering; suggests Western-style socializing and carries no religious coloring.
• Related式典しきてんFormalA formal ceremony, as in 「記念式典」; leans official, while 「会（え）」 mostly refers to Buddhist events.
• Related宴うたげWrittenA banquet or feast, as in 「勝利の宴」; a literary word whose focus is on eating and drinking together.
• Related儀式ぎしきNeutralA ceremony performed according to set procedures, as in 「宗教儀式」; the emphasis is on ritual form rather than the gathering itself.
• Related集合しゅうごうNeutralAssembling or coming together, as in 「駅に集合」; the focus is on people arriving at one place, not the event itself.
• Related宴会えんかいNeutralA banquet centered on eating and drinking; carries no religious coloring.
• Related集結しゅうけつWrittenThe massing or rallying of troops or personnel; implies large-scale gathering and does not refer to an event being held.
• Related祝典しゅくてんFormalA grand celebration ceremony; suits both secular and religious occasions, with the emphasis on congratulating.
• Related典礼てんれいFormalA solemn word for a ceremony, also used for Catholic liturgy; it comes up relatively seldom in everyday language.
• RelatedアセンブリWrittenLoanword for assembly in manufacturing or IT, or a general assembly; it does not refer to religious gatherings.

For Buddhist services or festive gatherings, 「会」 is read 「え」 and mostly appears in compounds like 「法会」 and 「盂蘭盆会」. For everyday gatherings say 「集まり」, for festivals 「祭り」, and for ceremonies 「儀式」 or 「式典」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 仏教ぶっきょうの儀式ぎしきや祭まつりなど、多おおくの人ひとが集あつまる催もよおし。