Read, reflect, pray
Homage for the study of antiquity
拝古学神等詞
A prayer honoring Omoikane, Sugawara and other kami along with earlier scholars of Japanese antiquity, asking for deep and wide learning.
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 those I worship to ask blessing upon my study of antiquity:
Yagokoro Omoikane, Imbe and Sugawara,
and those worshiped alongside them,
the master Hakura,
the master Okabe,
the master Motoori,
and Kuebiko no Mikoto—I bow in reverence.
Deepen my understanding in learning,
and guide me to strive ever more diligently.
Even without traveling to a place on my own feet,
may I know the many things of the world:
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,
吾古学に幸へ給へと斎ひ奉る、
waga inishihemanabini sakihahe tamaheto ihahi matsuru,
八意思兼神忌部神菅原神、
yagokoroomohikanenokami imibenokami sugaharanokami,
又添て斎ひ奉る、
mata sohete ihahi matsuru,
羽倉大人、
haguranoushi,
岡部大人、
wokabenoushi,
本居大人、
motoworinoushi,
久延毘古命の御前を慎み敬ひ。
kuebikonomikotono mimahewo tsutsushimi wiyamahi.
学問の業に悟渙く、
manabino wazani satorifukaku,
弥奨に奨給ひ、
iyasusumeni susume tamahi,
足は不行ども、
ashiha arukanedomo,
天下の事等令知給へと。
amenoshitano kotodomo shirashimetamaheto.
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.