Read, reflect, pray
Prayer for the Kami of Medicine (1921)
薬神祭祝詞
A complete model prayer inviting Ōnamuchi and Sukunabikona, honoring their association with medicine, and giving thanks for aid to people.
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.
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.
We purify this place as a sacred dwelling and respectfully invite and enshrine Ōnamuchi and Sukunabikona. In the presence of these two great kami, we humbly speak.
You established the way of medicine to relieve the illnesses that trouble people in this world. We gratefully honor your far-reaching grace, which, in this prayer’s understanding, lends sacred support to the work of physicians and brings aid to people.
We offer sake, food and other gifts as ritual offerings and bow in reverence. Please accept them graciously as sincere and sufficient offerings. May you continue to guard and bless us far into the future. With reverence, we speak.
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.
二柱の薬神をおまつりする
此の小床を伊都の真舎と由麻波利清麻波利、招奉り斎鎮奉る、掛巻くも畏き大穴牟遅大神、少名毘古那大神、二柱大神の大前に、慎み敬ひ恐み恐みも白さく。
kono odokowo itsuno mayato yumawari kiyomawari, ogimatsuri iwaitsumatsuru, kakemakumo kashikoki oonamuchinoookami, sukunabikonanoookami, futahashiranoookamino oomaeni, tsutsushimi uyamahi kashikomi kashikomimo mousaku.
顕見の世の人等が苦瀬に落ちて阿都加比悩む病を治むる薬の方を始め給ひ、何某が家の業と勤み務むる医師の業に奇く尊き御霊幸ひ給ひて、諸の人を助け給ひ救へる広き厚き恩頼を重み奉り忝み奉りて。
utsushimino yono hitoraga ukiseni ochite atsukainayamu yamaiwo osamuru kusurino michiwo hajime tamahi, nanigashiga ieno nariwaito isomi tsutomuru kusushino wazani kusuku toutoki mitamasakiwahi tamahite, moromorono hitowo tasuke tamahi sukuheru hiroki atsuki mitamanofuyuwo omomi matsuri katajikenami matsurite.
御祭仕奉らくと、宇豆の御酒、御食、種々の物を礼白の幣帛と捧奉り、伊波比伏しつつ拝奉る状を相宇豆那比給ひ、安幣の足幣と平けく安らけく聞食して、今より後も弥遠に弥永に守幸給へと、恐み恐みも白す。
mimatsuritsukaematsurakuto, uzuno miki, mike, kusagusano monowo iyajirono mitegurato sasagematsuri, iwaifushitsutsu orogamimatsuru samawo aiuzunai tamahi, yasumitegurano tarumitegurato tairakeku yasurakeku kikoshimeshite, imayori nochimo iyatooni iyanagani mamorisakiwaetamaheto, kashikomi kashikomimo mousu.
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 (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.