Read, reflect, pray
Homage to the purification kami
拝祓処神等詞
A prayer to kami born during Izanagi’s purification, asking for the removal of offences and impurity and the ability to fulfill sacred duties.
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.
In particular, I offer these words.
Izanagi no Mikoto, whose name I speak with awe,
performed purification at Awagihara by Odo in Tachibana, Himuka, Tsukushi.
Kami of purification born when he cleansed himself:
all calamities, offences and impurities,
please remove and cleanse away.
May I fulfill well the duties of worshiping the kami:
with reverence, I offer this 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
辞別けて。
kotowakete.
掛巻も畏き神伊邪那岐命。
kakemakumo kashikoki kamu izanaginomikoto.
筑紫日向の橘の小戸の阿波岐原に、
tsukushino himukano tachibanano wodono ahagiharani,
禊祓ひ給ふ時に生坐る祓処の神等。
misogiharahi tamafu tokini aremaseru harahedono kamitachi.
万の枉事罪穢を、
yorozuno magakoto tsumi kegarewo,
攘ひ給ひ清め給ひて、
harahi tamahi kiyome tamahite,
神事をも善しく仕奉らしめ給へと。
kamuwazawomo uruhashiku tsukahematsurashime tamaheto.
畏み畏みも拝み奉る。
kashikomi kashikomimo 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.