Read, reflect, pray
The sixth month’s purification: waka
水無月の
Traditional poem; author not named
Poem and reading aid
水無月の
minazukino
夏越しの祓
nagoshino harae
する人は
suru hitoha
千歳の命
chitoseno inochi
延ぶというなり
nobutoiunari
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
Those who perform the summer purification in the sixth month are said to extend their lives for a thousand years.
Background and attribution
Shiki Nagayoshi Shrine introduces this old poem for passing through the reed ring. The thousand years express a wish for longevity, not a promise about health or lifespan.
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.