Read, reflect, pray
Prayer of supplication
祈念祝詞
A text in the 1911 Shintō Ōharai Zenshū anthology. It is presented as a historical reading, not the current ritual of every shrine or temple.
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 kami, whose names we speak with awe, we respectfully offer these words.
Offering precious cloth and many gifts, we place sincerity first, honor the ancient customs of the divine age, and take refuge in the root of honesty. This prayer rejects the crooked teachings it calls those of a degenerate age and aspires to excellent practice of Shintō.
Hear peacefully this heart praising you through the words of purification at our country’s foundation.
May the praying person’s body and mind be peaceful, every illness removed, life prolonged, and blessings and livelihood abundant; may family, relatives and friends alike pass their days without mishap.
Illuminate our foolish hearts. Since nothing is more peaceful than feeling that all is sufficient, let us know contentment. Cherish all, even to the hoof-tips of cattle and horses, that they may be safe and peaceful.
Further we speak: though there are offences, faults and calamities from impurity, disbelief or neglect that displease the kami, bestow broad compassion and forgive with pure hearts. In the spirit of Kamunaobi and Ōnaobi, reconsider and hear them in a favorable light.
May the prayer be fully received and the wish accomplished. Protect us through the divine way, the supremely precious spiritual treasure.
Source text and reading aid
Roman letters are provided for 6 of 7 lines. Readings not fully supplied in the source are left without Roman letters.
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.
掛卷も畏き諸神等の廣前に恐み恐みも申さく
kakemakumo kashikoki moromoronokamitachino hiromaheni osoremi osoremimo mausaku
宇豆の幣帛竝に種々の物を捧供て丹精の誠をさきとし神代の古風を崇敬正直の根元に歸依し邪曲の末法を棄捨て今神道の妙行を奉願祈り
uzuno mitegura narabini shiyujiyuno monowo sasagesonahete kiyokikokorono makotowosakitoshi kamiyono noriwo agame masanisunahono motoni kaheriyorishi yokoshimano suwenonoriwo sutete ima kaminomichino tahenaruwazawo negahitatematsuri
吾國根元の祓をもつて稱辭奉る此狀を平けく安らけく聞食て
wagakuni hajimeno harahiwomotsute tatahegototatematsuru konoarisamawo tahirakeku yasurakeku kikoshimeshite
願主身心安穩く衆病悉除壽命長延福祿圓滿にして家内親屬朋友までも事故無く
guwanshiyu mikokoro yasuku moromoronoyamahi shitsuninozoki inochi nagakunobi saihahi madokanishite ihenouchi ugarayakara tomomademo kotoyuwe naku
愚なる心を明しめ給ひ何波の事も足ると思ふより樂きは莫ければ足る事を知らしめ牛馬の蹄に至るまで安穩息災にして憐愍を垂給へと恐み恐みも申す
辭別て申さく穢氣不淨不信懈怠の罪咎崇有りて諸神等の御心に不叶とも廣く厚き仁慈を垂給ひて清き御心に宥恕給ひて神直日命大直日命に見直し聞直し給ひて
kotowakete mausaku sahari kegare utagahi okotarino tsumitoga tatari arite moromoronokamitachino mikokoroni kanahazutomo hiroku atsuki utsukushimiwo taretamahite kiyoki mikokoroni nadameyurushitamahite kannawohinomikoto ohonawohinomikotoni minahoshi kikinahoshi tamahite
祈願圓滿應感成就無上寶靈神道加持
kiguwanwenman oukanjiyaujiyu mujiyaureihaushindaukaji
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.