Read, reflect, pray
Homage to Tsukuyomi’s realm
拝月夜見国詞
A prayer naming Kuninosokotachi, Toyokumonu, Izanami and Tsukuyomi in addressing the kami of the realm named in this text. Its tradition is not merged with the Kojiki’s genealogy.
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 the realm of Tsukuyomi:
Kuninosokotachi Ōkami,
Toyokumonu Ōkami,
Izanami Ōkami,
and Tsukuyomi no Mikoto—beginning with you,
before the great kami of that realm,
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
月豫美國に神留坐す、
tsukuyominokunini kamuzumarimasu,
國之底立大神、
kuninotokotachinoohokami,
豐斟渟大神、
toyokumununoohokami,
伊邪那美大神、
izanaminoohokami,
月夜見尊を始めて、
tsukuyominomikotowo hajimete,
其國に坐す大神等の大前を、
sonokunini masu ohokamitachino ohomahewo,
愼み敬ひ畏み畏みも遙に拜み奉る。
tsutsushimi wiyamahi 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.