Read, reflect, pray
Epidemic kami purification
疫神祓
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.
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.
恐み畏みも申て申さく高天原に神留座て事始給し神漏岐神漏美の命をもつて八百萬の神等を神集に集給ひ神議給て
荒振神等を神攘に祓給ひ神和に和み給ひ國の内に座す崇神疫神時行神等は荒び健び給ふ事無くして
araburukamitachiwo kamuharahini harahitamahi kaminigomini nigomi tamahi kunino uchini masu tatarigami eyamigami hayarigamitachiha arabi takebi tamafu koto nakushite
高天原に始給し事を神牟毛所知食て和まり鎭り在座すと廣前に宇豆の御食宇豆の御酒雜々の多米都物獻る此狀を平けく安らけく聞食給ひて
takamagaharani hajimetamahishi kotowo kamunagaramo shiroshimeshite nigomari shizumari mashimasuto hiromaheni uzuno mike uzuno miki kusagusano tametsumono tatematsuru konokatachiwo tahirakeku yasurakeku kikoshimeshitamahite
大元の神靈に歸り混沌の始を守り給ひて厄の災を祓給ひ退給ひて守給ひ幸給へと恐み畏みも申玉くと申す
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.