Inori no Mori祈りの杜working title

Read, reflect, pray

Epidemic kami purification

疫神祓やくじんのはらひ

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

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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.

Respectfully we speak. By command of Kamurogi and Kamuromi, the originators dwelling in Takamagahara, the many kami gather and deliberate.

Drive away unruly kami through sacred purification and pacify them through divine power. Kami of retribution, epidemic and spreading illness within the country: do not wield violent power.

Recognize what was first ordained in Takamagahara and settle peacefully. Hear gently the heart with which we offer fine food, sake and many gifts before you.

Return to the great primordial divine spirit and guard the beginning before heaven and earth divided. Purify away calamity; protect and bless us. With reverence, we offer these words.

Source text and reading aid

Roman letters are provided for 3 of 4 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.

恐(おそれ)み畏(かしこ)みも申(まうし)て申(まう)さく高天原(たかまがはら)に神留座(かみとゞまりましまし)て事始給(ことはじめたまひ)し神漏岐(かみろぎ)神漏美(かみろみ)の命(みこと)をもつて八百萬(やほよろづ)の神等(かみたち)を神集(かむつどへ)に集給(つどへたま)ひ神議給(かむはかりにはかりたまひ)て

荒振神等(あらぶるかみたち)を神攘(かむはらひ)に祓給(はらひたま)ひ神和(かみにごみ)に和(にご)み給(たま)ひ國(くに)の内(うち)に座(ま)す崇神(たたりがみ)疫神(えやみがみ)時行神等(はやりがみたち)は荒(あら)び健(たけ)び給(たま)ふ事(こと)無(な)くして

araburukamitachiwo kamuharahini harahitamahi kaminigomini nigomi tamahi kunino uchini masu tatarigami eyamigami hayarigamitachiha arabi takebi tamafu koto nakushite

高天原(たかまがはら)に始給(はじめたまひ)し事(こと)を神牟毛(かむながらも)所知食(しろしめし)て和(にご)まり鎭(しづま)り在座(ましま)すと廣前(ひろまへ)に宇豆(うづ)の御食(みけ)宇豆(うづ)の御酒(みき)雜々(くさぐさ)の多米都物(ためつもの)獻(たてまつ)る此狀(このかたち)を平(たひら)けく安(やす)らけく聞食給(きこしめしたま)ひて

takamagaharani hajimetamahishi kotowo kamunagaramo shiroshimeshite nigomari shizumari mashimasuto hiromaheni uzuno mike uzuno miki kusagusano tametsumono tatematsuru konokatachiwo tahirakeku yasurakeku kikoshimeshitamahite

大元(おほもと)の神靈(みたま)に歸(かへ)り混沌(こんとん)の始(はじめ)を守(まも)り給(たま)ひて厄(やみ)の災(わざはひ)を祓給(はらひたま)ひ退給(しりぞけたま)ひて守給(まもりたま)ひ幸給(さきはひたま)へと恐(おそれ)み畏(かしこ)みも申玉(まうしたまは)くと申(まう)す

ohomotono mitamani kaheri kontonno hajimewo mamori tamahite yamino wazahahiwo harahitamahi shirizoketamahite mamoritamahi sakihahitamaheto osoremi kashikomimo maushitamahakuto mausu

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.

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