Read, reflect, pray
Short worship prayer
略拝詞
An example introduced by Jinja Honchō for shrine or home worship. It asks for purification, protection and blessing; it is not a particular kami’s exclusive mantra or a required rite at every shrine.
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.
These are general words of worship used at shrines and household sacred shelves, not a mantra exclusive to the deity shown on the page.
Please sweep away offences and impurities and cleanse us.
In accordance with your august divine heart, protect us and grant us happiness.
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.
祓え給い、清め給え、
harae tamai, kiyome tamae,
神ながら守り給い、幸え給え
kamunagara mamori tamai, sakiwae tamae
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.