Inori no Mori祈りの杜working title

Read, reflect, pray

Prayer honoring Sugawara

菅原大神鎮霊祭すがわらのおおかみちんれいさい

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

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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.

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(かけまく)も畏(かしこ)き菅原大神(すがはらのおほかみ)と称(たた)へ奉(まつ)る

kakemakumo kashikoki sugaharanoohokamito tatahe matsuru

贈太政大臣(ぞうだじやうだいじん)道真公(みちざねのきみ)の御霊(みたま)を

zoudajiyaudaijin michizanenokimino mitamawo

是(これ)の御像(みかた)に招(をぎ)奉(まつ)り令坐(まさせ)奉(まつ)りて

koreno mikatani wogi matsuri masase matsurite

何某(なにがし)畏(かしこ)み畏(かしこ)みも白(まを)さく

nanigashi kashikomi kashikomimo mawosaku

汝命(いましみこと)の高(たか)く世(よ)に勝(すぐ)れ坐(ま)して

imashimikotono takaku yoni sugure mashite

文道学術(ふみのみちまなびのわざ)に秀(ひい)で給(たま)ひし事(こと)は言(いふ)も畏(かしこ)し

fuminomichimanabinowazani hiide tamahishi kotoha ifumo kashikoshi

汝命(いましみこと)の忠誠(まこと)は日月(ひつき)と耀(かがや)き

imashimikotono makotoha hitsukito kagayaki

汝命(いましみこと)の御徳(みいつ)は天地(あめつち)に満足(みちたら)ひて

imashimikotono miitsuha ametsuchini michitarahite

深(ふか)く世(よ)の奸佞(よこしま)を嫌(きら)ひ給(たま)ひて

fukaku yono yokoshimawo kirahi tamahite

無実(なきこと)災(わざはひ)に罹(かか)れる人(ひと)をも救(すく)ひ給(たま)ひ助(たす)け給(たま)ひて

nakikoto wazahahini kakareru hitowomo sukuhi tamahi tasuke tamahite

上(かみ)は天皇命(すめらみこと)を守(まも)り給(たま)ひ

kamiha sumeramikotowo mamori tamahi

下(しも)は人民(ひとくさ)を憐(あはれ)み給(たま)ひて

shimoha hitokusawo aharemi tamahite

殊(こと)に敷島(しきしま)の道(みち)をも守(まも)り坐(ま)せる事(こと)を

kotoni shikishimano michiwomo mamori maseru kotowo

崇(あが)め尊(たふと)みて今日(けふ)の生日(いくひ)の足日(たるひ)に

agame tafutomite kefuno ikuhino taruhini

礼代(いやしろ)の幣帛(みてぐら)を捧(ささ)げて仕(つかへ)奉(まつ)らくを

iyashirono mitegurawo sasagete tsukahe matsurakuwo

平(たひら)けく安(やすら)けく聞食(きこしめし)給(たま)ひ

tahirakeku yasurakeku kikoshimeshi tamahi

弥遠(いやとほ)に弥永(いやなが)に遷(うつ)り鎮座(しづまりま)して

iyatohoni iyanagani utsuri shizumarimashite

守(まも)り恵(めぐ)み幸(さきはへ)給(たま)へと

mamori megumi sakihahe tamaheto

畏(かしこ)み畏(かしこ)みも白(まを)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.

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