Read, reflect, pray
Homage to three Yamato shrines
拝大和三社詞
A prayer naming Ōmiwa, Ōyamato and Unate and honoring Ōmononushi, Ōkunitama and Kotoshironushi.
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 at Ōmiwa Shrine, Shiki-no-kami District, Yamato Province:
Ōmononushi Ōkami;
dwelling at Ōyamato Shrine, Yamabe District:
Ōkunitama Ōkami;
dwelling at Unate Shrine, Takaichi District:
Kotoshironushi—
before these three 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
大和國城上郡大神社に鎭座坐す、
ohoyamatonokuni shikinokaminokohori ohomiwanoyashironi shizumarimasu,
大物主大神。
ohomononushinoohokami.
山邊郡大和社に鎭座坐す、
yamanobenokohori ohoyamatonoyashironi shizumarimasu,
大國魂大神。
ohokunitamanoohokami.
高市郡宇奈提社に鎭座坐す、
takechinokohori unadenoyashironi shizumarimasu,
言代主神。
kotoshironushinokami.
三柱の御前を、
mihashirano mimahewo,
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.