Read, reflect, pray
Prayer honoring Sugawara
菅原大神鎮霊祭
An 1897 prayer venerating Sugawara. The divine name published by Kitano Tenmangū is provided separately, rather than made into a single combined text.
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.
To the one we call Sugawara Ōkami, whose very name inspires awe,
the spirit of Lord Sugawara no Michizane, posthumously granted the rank of grand minister:
welcoming you into this image and asking you to dwell here,
I, the attendant designated by the placeholder name, respectfully speak.
Your lofty distinction above the world
and your excellence in literature and learning inspire awe even to describe.
Your loyalty shines like sun and moon;
your virtue fills every corner of heaven and earth.
Deeply detesting worldly intrigue and flattery,
you rescue and assist those who suffer misfortune without fault.
You protect the emperor above
and show compassion to the people below.
Revering especially your guardianship of the way of waka poetry,
on this good day filled with life’s vitality,
we serve you with offerings as tokens of respect.
Please receive them gently,
and, far into the future, remain dwelling here.
Protect us and grant blessing and happiness.
With reverence I ask.
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.
掛も畏き菅原大神と称へ奉る
kakemakumo kashikoki sugaharanoohokamito tatahe matsuru
贈太政大臣道真公の御霊を
zoudajiyaudaijin michizanenokimino mitamawo
是の御像に招奉り令坐奉りて
koreno mikatani wogi matsuri masase matsurite
何某畏み畏みも白さく
nanigashi kashikomi kashikomimo mawosaku
汝命の高く世に勝れ坐して
imashimikotono takaku yoni sugure mashite
文道学術に秀で給ひし事は言も畏し
fuminomichimanabinowazani hiide tamahishi kotoha ifumo kashikoshi
汝命の忠誠は日月と耀き
imashimikotono makotoha hitsukito kagayaki
汝命の御徳は天地に満足ひて
imashimikotono miitsuha ametsuchini michitarahite
深く世の奸佞を嫌ひ給ひて
fukaku yono yokoshimawo kirahi tamahite
無実災に罹れる人をも救ひ給ひ助け給ひて
nakikoto wazahahini kakareru hitowomo sukuhi tamahi tasuke tamahite
上は天皇命を守り給ひ
kamiha sumeramikotowo mamori tamahi
下は人民を憐み給ひて
shimoha hitokusawo aharemi tamahite
殊に敷島の道をも守り坐せる事を
kotoni shikishimano michiwomo mamori maseru kotowo
崇め尊みて今日の生日の足日に
agame tafutomite kefuno ikuhino taruhini
礼代の幣帛を捧げて仕奉らくを
iyashirono mitegurawo sasagete tsukahe matsurakuwo
平けく安けく聞食給ひ
tahirakeku yasurakeku kikoshimeshi tamahi
弥遠に弥永に遷り鎮座して
iyatohoni iyanagani utsuri shizumarimashite
守り恵み幸給へと
mamori megumi sakihahe tamaheto
畏み畏みも白す
kashikomi kashikomimo mawosu
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.