Read, reflect, pray
Prayer to the Five Fox Deities
五狐神祝詞
A complete historical text from Ine-ri no Hiden, invoking five fox deities and referring to sacred jewels, a mirror and a sword. It is not presented as a prayer exclusive to Ukanomitama or as the current official rite of Fushimi Inari Taisha.
English meaning and source text
English meaning
About this English rendering
This site’s English rendering of the Japanese meaning guide, aligned with this edition. It is separate from the source words for recitation and is not an official liturgy. Sacred sounds are explained where possible, not given speculative literal translations. Historical beliefs, royal authority, illness and protection claims belong to the text; they are not present-day judgments, medical advice or guarantees of results.
An independent rendering of the displayed historical text, not a prescription of present-day shrine ritual or a guarantee of the effects of prayer.
The five fox deities of Inari are invoked: Tenko, Kūko, Chiko, Byakko and Ashirei.
The text asks whether the sacred garment is now present, and speaks of daily devotion and reverence for it. The original writes gyoi as 御衣, “sacred garment.”
Being a string of sacred jewels, who could fail to hold it in awe and reverence?
Being a perfectly clear mirror, what deity could fail to guard it?
Being the sword Kusanagi, wherever one may go, could there be anyone hostile? The words express confidence in protection.
Purity and reverence are expressed, and the deity Sanko Tōme is named.
The text concludes: preserve and guard, and do not lose it.
Source text and reading aid
Roman letters are provided for every line of this source text.
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.
五狐神への詞
天狐、空狐、地狐、白狐、吾紫霊、稲生五狐神。
tenko, kuuko, chiko, byakuko, ashirei, inarigokoshin.
御衣今有也、日々に勤めて、御衣を拝し奉り。
gyoiimaariya, hibini tsutomete, gyoiwo haishi tatematsuri.
御統の瓊なれば、誰か恐み、不敬也。
misumaruno tamanareba, tareka kashikomi, uyamahazaran'ya.
真清の鏡なれば、何の神か不守哉。
masumino kagaminareba, izureno kamika mamorazaran'ya.
草薙の剣なれば、何久に由久として、讐なる人有哉。
kusanagino tsuruginareba, izukuni yukutoshite, adanaru hitoaran'ya.
斎り慎み、三狐専女の神。
imohori tsutsushimi, sankotoumeno shin.
守莫失矣。
mamoriushinafunakare.
Connected kami and buddhas
These connections include figures addressed, mentioned, or associated by tradition. They do not assign a universal recitation practice.
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.