Read, reflect, pray
Homage to the boundary kami
拝塞神等詞
A short prayer to three guardian kami at the parting of roads, associated in this text with keeping calamity away.
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.
At the great branching roads you stand like ranks of sacred rock,
guarding against those who come from the land of roots and depths to do violent harm,
blocking their way with the words, ‘Come no farther.’
Before the three boundary-protecting kami, with deep respect,
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,
大八衢に湯津石村の如く塞坐て、
ohoyachimatani yutsuihamurano gotoku sayarimashite,
根国底国より荒備疎備来物を、
nenokuni sokonokuniyori arabi utobi komumonowo,
此より勿来と守給ふ、
kokoyori kunato mamori tamafu,
塞神三柱の御前を慎み敬ひ。
sahenokami mihashirano mimahewo tsutsushimi wiyamahi.
畏み畏みも拝み奉る。
kashikomi kashikomimo wogami tatematsuru.
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.