Read, reflect, pray
Prayers Concerning Illness, Chapter 1 — 1869 edition
祈癒病五章・第一章(1869年刊本)
A historical village prayer giving thanks for continued peace while illness affects nearby villages, and asking for continued protection.
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.
Before the great kami whom we worship, we humbly speak.
Illness has recently arisen in the surrounding villages, and many have suffered and died. We give thanks that this village, under your care and sacred blessing, has continued in peace.
Continue to protect this village ever more fully. May illness be absent here, and may the community live with peaceful and joyful hearts.
On this auspicious day we present ritual gifts as a token of respect and offer these words humbly. Please hear them peacefully.
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.
掛も畏き吾大神の大前に、恐み恐みも白さく。
kakemakumo kashikoki wagaohokamino ohomaheni, kashikomi kashikomimo mawosaku.
此頃四方の里々に病起て、人多に悩て失ぬるも数多有るを、此の村はしも吾皇神の敷坐里と、神随恩頼を幸へ給ふ里にし有れば、平けく安けく有経事を尊び喜びて、
konogoro yomono satosatoni yamahiokorite, hitosahani nayamite usenurumo amata aruwo, kono murahashimo wagasumegamino shikimasusatoto, kamunagara mitamanofuyuwo chihahe tamafu satonishi areba, tahirakeku yasurakeku arifurukotowo tafutobi yorokobite,
今も今も弥益々に守給ひ幸給ひて、村の内には諸の病有らせず、氏子等が心も安く、転楽く守給ひ幸給へと、
imamo imamo iyamasumasuni mamori tamahi sakihahe tamahite, murano uchiniha moromorono yamahi arasezu, ujikoraga kokoromo yasuku, utadanushiku mamori tamahi sakihahe tamaheto,
今日の生日の足日に、礼代の幣を捧持て、恐み恐みも称辞竟奉らくを、平けく安けく聞食と白す。
kefuno ikuhino taruhini, wiyajirono mitegurawo sasagemochite, kashikomi kashikomimo tatahegotowohematsurakuwo, tahirakeku yasurakeku kikoshimeseto mawosu.
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.