Read, reflect, pray

Prayer to Sukunahikona: Excerpt (1891)

少毘古名神祝詞（抄）すくなひこなのかみのりとしょう

The invocation and praise of Sukunahikona from an 1891 edition. The later offerings, petitions and conclusion are not included. The excerpt and its independent translations are provided under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

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.

An independent rendering of the displayed historical model. Recovery, protection and long life are expressed as prayers, not as guaranteed effects of treatment or ritual. This excerpt and its translations are provided under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, based on images credited to the University of Tokyo and the National Institute of Japanese Literature.

Before the revered presence of Sukunahikona, I speak with humility and respect.

This edition describes Sukunahikona as a child of Takamimusubi in Takamanohara. Joining strength and purpose with Ōnamuchi in forming the land, the kami establishes the way of medicine, transmits protective rites against harm from animals and insects, and oversees the affairs of other lands. The prayer reverently honors these far-reaching deeds.

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.

少彦名神を讃える（すくなひこなのかみをたたえる）

掛（か）けまくも畏（かしこ）き少彦名神（すくなひこなのかみ）の宇豆（うず）の広前（ひろまえ）に、恐（かしこ）み恐（かしこ）みも白（もう）さく。

kakemakumo kashikoki sukunahikonanokamino uzuno hiromaeni, kashikomi kashikomimo mousaku.

高天原（たかまのはら）に神留（かむづま）り坐（ま）す高皇産霊神（たかみむすびのかみ）の御子（みこ）に産（む）す、国造大己貴神（くにつくりおおなむちのかみ）と力（ちから）を合（あわ）せ御心（みこころ）を一（ひとつ）にして、天下（あめのした）の蒼生人（あおひとくさ）の病（やまい）を療治給（りょうじたま）ふに医薬（くすり）の方（みち）を始（はじ）め給（たま）ひ、及（およ）び鳥獣昆虫（とりけものはうむし）の災（わざわい）を攘（はら）ふ禁厭（まじない）の術（わざ）を伝（つた）へ給（たま）ひ、外国々（とつくにぐに）の能事（こと）を掌給（つかさどりたま）ふ。御功績（みいさお）の広（ひろ）く厚（あつ）きを畏（かしこ）み敬（うやま）ひ。

takamanoharani kamuzumari masu takamimusubinokamino mikoni musu, kunitsukurioonamuchinokamito chikarawo awase mikokorowo hitotsunishite, amenoshitano aohitokusano yamaiwo ryoujitamafuni kusurino michiwo hajime tamahi, oyobi torikemonohaumushino wazawaiwo harafu majinaino wazawo tsutahe tamahi, totsukunigunino kotowo tsukasadoritamafu. miisaono hiroku atsukiwo kashikomi uyamahi.

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 (2)

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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