Read, reflect, pray
Prayers Concerning Illness, Chapter 4 — 1869 edition
祈癒病五章・第四章(1869年刊本)
A historical prayer to Takehaya Susanoo recalling the rescue of Somin Shōrai and his family and asking for the healing of the village.
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 Takehaya Susanoo, we humbly speak.
Illness has recently arisen in this village and many have died. The villagers grieve, not knowing which way to turn, and together resolve to seek your revered sacred help.
On this auspicious day we invite you to this sacred enclosure and humbly offer these words. Please hear them.
In the distant age of the kami, when you traveled to Kibi, you saved Somin Shōrai and his wife and children. As you helped them, may you now swiftly heal the suffering villagers. We fill the offering stand with many ritual gifts and 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.
掛まくも畏き健速須佐之男大神の大前に、畏み畏みも白さく。
kakemakumo kashikoki takehayasusanowonoohokamino ohomaheni, kashikomi kashikomimo mawosaku.
此頃此の村中に病有て、人多に身失ぬ。故是に村人等進むも知らず、退くも知らに思歎て、諸共に相議て、吾大神の高き貴き恩頼を乞ひねぎ奉らむと、
konogoro kono murauchini yamahiarite, hitosahani miusenu. karekokoni murabitora susumumo shirazu, shirizokumo shirani omohinagekite, morotomoni ahihakarite, wagaohokamino takaki tafutoki mitamanofuyuwo kohinegi matsuramuto,
為て今日の生日の足日に、大神を此の神籬に坐奉りて、恐み恐みも称辞竟奉らくを、神随聞召と白す。
shite kefuno ikuhino taruhini, ohokamiwo kono himorogini masematsurite, kashikomi kashikomimo tatahegotowohematsurakuwo, kamunagara kikoshimeseto mawosu.
如此仕奉るに依て、遠津神代に大神の吉備国に幸行し時、蘇民将来及其の妻子を救給ひ助給へる事の如く、今も悩む里人等を立所に癒給ひ直給へと、大前に種々の幣を机代に置足はして、恐み恐みも称辞竟奉らくと白す。
kaku tsukahematsuruni yorite, tohotsukamiyoni ohokamino kibinokunini idemashishi toki, sominshiyaurai mata sono mekowo sukuhi tamahi tasuke tamaheru kotono gotoku, imamo nayamu satobitorawo tachidokoroni iyashi tamahi nahoshi tamaheto, ohomaheni kusagusano mitegurawo tsukuweshironi okitarahashite, kashikomi kashikomimo tatahegotowohematsurakuto 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.