Read, reflect, pray
Homage to the heavenly realm
拝天日御国詞
A prayer to Amaterasu, the Musubi kami, Izanagi and the kami of Takamagahara, in this historical edition’s formulation.
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.
Dwelling in Takamagahara:
Amaterasu Ōmikami,
the great Musubi kami,
and Izanagi Ōmikami:
beginning with you,
before the many great kami,
with deep respect I offer distant homage.
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.
本文
高天原に神留坐す、
takamanoharani kamuzumarimasu,
天照大御神、
amaterasuohomikami,
皇産靈大御神、
musubinoohomikami,
伊邪那岐大御神を、
izanaginoohomikamiwo,
始め奉り、
hajime tatematsuri,
八百万の大神等の大御前を、
yahoyorozuno ohokamitachino ohomimahewo,
愼み敬ひ畏み畏みも遙に拜み奉る。
tsutsushimi wiyahi kashikomi kashikomimo harukani wogami tatematsuru.
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.