Read, reflect, pray
From those distant days: waka
そのかみは
Author not named
Poem and reading aid
そのかみは
sonokamiha
幾世経ぬらん
ikuyohenuran
便りをば
tayoriwoba
千歳もここに
chitosemokokoni
松の尾の寺
matsuno ono tera
How to use the Roman letters
Roman letters follow the kana displayed in this site’s Japanese reader; some readings are editorial additions documented on the Japanese page. These are a reading aid, not restored Sanskrit or a recording of a temple’s chanting. Historical spellings (such as wo, wi, we and ha used as a particle) are kept. Double vowels and repeated vowels mark the written kana; rhythm and pronunciation can differ by tradition.
You can simply read the meaning or sit quietly. No recitation is required. For a temple or shrine’s own recitation, follow that tradition’s published guidance.
Meaning in English
How many ages have passed since those distant days? Through a thousand years the connection remains here, at Matsunoo’s temple.
Background and attribution
A pilgrimage song of Matsunoodera, Saikoku temple 29, whose principal image is Batō Kannon. The poem reflects on the temple’s enduring connection across time.
The English meaning and explanation are this site’s own rendering. The poem’s speaker, author and object of devotion are not necessarily the same.
Connected figures
Sources and edition (1)
English explanations on this page were prepared by Inori no Mori from the cited text and its Japanese explanations. They are not an official translation or a prescribed liturgy.