Read, reflect, pray
Prayers Concerning Illness, Chapter 3 — 1869 edition
祈癒病五章・第三章(1869年刊本)
A historical prayer inviting Ōnamuchi and Sukunabikona and asking for the recovery of those lying ill. Its references to remedies and ritual practices belong to the historical text.
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 two great kami, Ōnamuchi and Sukunabikona, we humbly speak.
Illness has recently arisen throughout the surrounding lands, and people grieve deeply for the many who suffer and die. Together they resolve to invite and honor the kami according to ancient custom, seeking your broad compassion for humankind.
On this auspicious day we therefore present ritual gifts and humbly offer these words. Please receive our service peacefully.
From the beginning of the age of the kami, you established remedies and ritual means concerning illness and have helped people ever since. Bestow that sacred power upon those lying ill; heal, comfort and bless them. We humbly speak.
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.
掛まくも畏き大那牟遅大神・少名毘古那大神二柱大神の大前に、恐み恐みも白さく。
kakemakumo kashikoki ohonamuchinoohokami sukunabikonanoohokami futabashiraohokamino ohomaheni, kashikomi kashikomimo mawosaku.
比日四方八方の里々に病起て、人多に悩て失ぬるも不少事を、人々甚く歎愁て、諸共に議基智て、古の法の任大神等を招奉斎奉て、蒼生を哀給ふ広き厚き恩頼を乞祈奉むと、
konogoro yomoyamono satosatoni yamahiokorite, hitosahani nayamite usenurumo sukunakaranukotowo, hitobito itaku nagekiurehite, morotomoni hakarigochite, inishiheno norino manima ohokamitachiwo wogimatsuri ihahimatsurite, awohitogusawo aharemi tamafu hiroki atsuki mitamanofuyuwo kohinomimatsuramuto,
為て今日の生日の足日に、礼代の幣を捧持て、大神の大前を恐み恐みも称辞竟奉らくと白す。如此仕奉事を平けく安けく聞召して、
shite kefuno ikuhino taruhini, wiyajirono mitegurawo sasagemochite, ohokamino ohomahewo kashikomi kashikomimo tatahegotowohematsurakuto mawosu. kaku tsukahematsurukotowo tahirakeku yasurakeku kikoshimeshite,
神代の初の時、大神等の諸の病を治る薬方とまじなひののりとを定給ひて、今世に至迄青人草を助給ひ救給ふ恩頼を、神随幸坐て、病臥せる諸人等を直給ひ癒給ひ撫給ひ恵給へと、恐み恐みも白す。
kamiyono hajimeno toki, ohokamitachino moromorono yamahiwo wosamuru kusurinonoritomajinahinonoritowo sadame tamahite, imanoyoni itarumade awohitogusawo tasuke tamahi sukuhi tamafu mitamanofuyuwo, kamunagara chihahemashite, yamikoyaseru morobitorawo nahoshi tamahi iyashi tamahi nade tamahi megumi tamaheto, kashikomi kashikomimo mawosu.
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.