Read, reflect, pray
Homage to the hearth kami: Hirata edition
拝竈神等詞
A prayer to Homusubi and the two Okitsu kami, speaking of receiving fire each day and of purification.
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.
Before Homusubi, worshiped at the hearth,
and Okitsuhiko and Okitsuhime, I bow in reverence.
The heavenly fire we receive today,
let us receive as the sacred fire of Mount Ame-no-Kaguyama.
Let there be no calamities wrought by harmful kami.
Cleanse away the various impurities,
and grant blessing through your noble power:
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.
竈処に斎き奉る火産霊神、
kamadoni itsuki matsuru homusubinokami,
奥津比古奥津比売神の御前を慎み敬ひ。
okitsuhiko okitsuhimenokamino mimahewo tsutsushimi wiyamahi.
今日も賜はる天津火を、
kefumo tamaharu amatsuhiwo,
天之香山の火と受けしめて。
amenokaguyamano hito ukeshimete.
枉神の禍事在らせず、
magakamino magakoto arasezu,
諸の穢を清め給ひて、
moromorono kegarewo kiyome tamahite,
伊豆の御霊を幸へ給へと。
izuno mitamawo sakihahe 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.