Read, reflect, pray
Prayer for a peaceful household
祈家内安全
An 1897 example asking for harmony within a family, the correction of faults, and protection from calamity. Names are meant to be supplied in the source form.
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.
On this good day among the many days, with reverence before the awe-inspiring great kami,
we offer sake, food and other gifts of respect and humbly speak.
Please look upon [name], a member of your shrine community, who receives your blessings, honors your virtue and serves you.
Hear this kindly; in your precious blessing, cherish and nurture us.
This Meiji-period form asks that the family live without estrangement, not be led astray by foreign teachings, and be guided toward a pure, sincere Yamato heart.
If there are offences or blame arising from mistakes, reconsider and hear them in a favorable light, so that we may be without calamities.
May the household flourish long into the generations of children and grandchildren. With reverence, we offer this prayer.
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.
本文
八十日は有れど、今日の生日の足日に、掛巻も恐き吾大神の大前を慎み敬ひ、
yasokaha aredo, kefuno ikuhino taruhini, kakemakumo kashikoki agaohokamino ohomahewo tsutsushimi uyamahi,
礼代の御酒御饌・種々の物を捧備へて、恐み恐みも白さく、
wiyashirono mikimike kusagusano monowo sasagesonahete, kashikomi kashikomimo mawosaku,
大神の氏子何某、預りて大神の神徳を崇め尊び仕奉らくを見そなはし給ひ、
ohokamino ujiko nanigashi, azukarite ohokamino miitsuwo agame tafutobi tsukahematsurakuwo misonahashi tamahi,
聞こし給ひて、大神の高き貴き御恩頼を以て、美しめ給ひ、慈しび給ひて、
kikoshi tamahite, ohokamino takaki tafutoki mitamanofuyuwo mochite, uruhashime tamahi, itsukushibi tamahite,
家内の親族は各も乖々不令有、外国の異教に惑ふ事なく、清き赤き大和心の真心に誘導き給ひて、
ihenouchino ukaraha onomo somukusomuku arashimezu, adashikunino kotowoshiheni madofu kotonaku, kiyoki akaki yamatogokorono magokoroni izanahimichibiki tamahite,
過犯せる罪咎有らむをば、見直し聞直し坐して、諸の禍不令有、
ayamachiokaseru tsumitoga aramuwoba, minahoshi kikinahoshi mashite, moromorono maga arashimezu,
子孫の八十連属、家門高く令立栄給へと、恐み恐みも白す。
uminokono yasotsuzuki, ihekadotakaku tachisakaeshime 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.