Read, reflect, pray
Prayer at the Raising of the Ridgepole — 1869 edition
棟祭(1869年刊本)
A historical prayer of thanks for the completion of sanctuary construction, asking that the building remain firm and secure.
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 Taokihooi no Mikoto and Hikosashiri no Mikoto, we humbly speak.
When the named carpenter began this sanctuary, he prayed that the kami would protect and assist this difficult work and bring it peacefully to completion in accordance with the proper rules. We rejoice and give thanks that the prayer was answered and the work completed without error.
On this auspicious day, we fill the offering table with sake and food in gratitude. Please hear these words of thanks.
Now and in the future, may this sanctuary remain a peaceful dwelling. By your sacred power, may its pillars, ridgepole, crossbeams and beams neither shift nor shake, its nails remain firm and its roof remain secure. Protect and bless it for generations. 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.
掛まくも畏き手置帆負命・彦狭知命の大前に、恐み恐みも白さく。
kakemakumo kashikoki taokihoohinomikoto hikosashirinomikotono ohomaheni, kashikomi kashikomimo mawosaku.
先に木工何某が、此の大宮を造始る時に祈申し之く、如此不容易事をば、吾皇神等守給ひ助給ひて、法の任平けく安けく事成竟しめ給へと祈白しき。然を祈白ししも験く、違事なく過事なく造竟しめ給る事を、貴み喜み、
sakini kodakumi nanigashiga, kono ohomiyawo tsukurihajimuru tokini nomimawoshi shiku, kaku tayasukaranukotowoba, wagasumegamitachi mori tamahi tasuke tamahite, norino manima tahirakeku yasurakeku kotonashiwoheshime tamaheto nomimawoshiki. saruwo nomimawoshishimo shiruku, tagafukotonaku ayamatsukotonaku tsukuriwoheshime tamaheru kotowo, tafutomi ureshimi,
今日の生日の足日に、謝の礼代と、大御酒・大御饌を几物に置足して、恐々くも称辞竟奉状を神随聞召して、
kefuno ikuhino taruhini, yorokobino wiyajiroto, ohomiki ohomikewo tsukuwemononi okitarahashite, kashikomikashikomikumo tatahegotowohematsurusamawo kamunagara kikoshimeshite,
今も今も、此の大宮を安宮と、吾皇神の御霊給ひて築立たる柱の取挙たる棟桁梁の錯ひ動鳴事なく、打堅たる釘の緩び取葺る甍の噪ぎなく、千代常とばに守給ひ幸給へと、恐み恐みも白す。
imamo imamo, kono ohomiyawo yasumiyato, wagasumegamino mitama tamahite tsukitatetaru hashirano toriagetaru munagiketautsubarino kikahi toyominarukotonaku, uchikatametaru kugino yurubi torifukeru irakano sosoginaku, chiyotokotobani mori tamahi sakihahe tamaheto, kashikomi kashikomimo 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.