6.THE IMPORT OF THE PRAYER AT ISE GRAND SHRINE
Now, finally, I would like to point out the import of prayer at Ise Grand Shrine. I think it is effective to read the Norito, or the ritual prayer which addressed to Amaterasu omikami. Norito is the words addressed to a deity or deities in an archaic Japanese at festivals. It is the only expression by words in festivals observed in silence. The Chief priest recites the norito on behalf of the faithful. It was believed that beautiful, correct words brought about good, and that words of the opposite sort caused evil. This attitude stems from a belief in
kotodama, a spiritual power residing in words. The style of expression is typified by the norito
recorded in the Engi shiki, the book of court procedures compiled in the tenth century.
Please have a look at No. 6. I quoted the norito of the Divine Harvest Festival from Engi shiki. The essential parts in this Norito were established just two thousand years ago when Ise Grand Shrine(Kotai Jingu or Naiku) was founded at Ise according to tradition. And it has been used until today in archaic language which is never used in ordinary conversation. Please set eyes on the line 9. With maximum gratitude for the blessing of rice harvest, this very unchangeable prayer is recited to Amaterasu omikami. I would like to finish my short lecture by reading it.
9 By the solemn command of the Emperor,
10 [I pray] that you make his life a long life,
11 Prospering [his reign] as an abundant reign,
12 Eternal and unmoving as the sacred massed rocks,
13 That you favor also the princes which are born,
14 And that you guard, favor, and prosper long and tranquilly
15 The various officials,
16 As well as even the common people of the lands of the four quarters of the kingdom.
In the course of generations, Shinto Priests had been changing one after another. However, this very words for prayer of
I thank you for your kind attention.