Norito Purification: Cleansing Spirits in Ancient Japan
When you step into the sacred precincts of a Shinto shrine in Japan, the air often feels distinct—crisper, quieter, and charged with a sense of reverence. This atmosphere is not accidental; it is maintained through rituals of Harae (purification). Central to these rites is the chanting of Norito, ancient liturgical prayers believed to bridge the gap between the human realm and the Kami (gods).
For cultural travelers, understanding Norito offers a profound window into the Japanese soul, revealing how language itself is used to cleanse impurities and restore spiritual balance.
Introduction to the Power of Words
In the Shinto worldview, purification is the primary mechanism for interacting with the divine. Humans acquire Kegare (impurity or spiritual withering) through daily life, illness, or contact with death. To commune with the Kami, one must first be cleansed.
Norito (祝詞) are the formalized invocations recited by Shinto priests during these ceremonies. These are not merely requests or prayers in the Western sense; they are performative utterances based on the concept of Kotodama—the “spirit of words.” The ancient Japanese believed that beautiful, correct words had the power to manifest reality, while negative words brought disaster. By chanting Norito in a specific, rhythmic intonation, the priest activates the cleansing power of the Kami, washing away the spiritual pollution of the devotee.
Origins of the Sacred Chant
The roots of Norito are as old as the Japanese language itself, predating the introduction of Buddhism or Chinese writing systems. While Shinto has no central scripture like the Bible or Quran, Norito serves as the oral tradition that preserves ancient theology.
The formalization of these prayers occurred during the Yamato period, but they were codified in the Engishiki (Procedures of the Engi Era), a legal code from 927 AD. Volume 8 of the Engishiki contains 27 specific Norito texts used for various state ceremonies. The language used in Norito is distinct from modern Japanese; it is classical, poetic, and archaic, preserving grammatical structures that have otherwise vanished from daily use.
Legend: The First Purification
The necessity of Norito and purification is deeply rooted in Japanese mythology, specifically in the creation myths found in the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan).
The most famous legend regarding the origin of purification involves the creator deity, Izanagi-no-Mikoto. After his tragic attempt to retrieve his deceased wife, Izanami, from the underworld (Yomi), Izanagi fled back to the surface world. Covered in the pollution of death and the underworld, he felt compelled to cleanse himself.
Izanagi bathed in a river at Wakamatsu to wash away the impurities. As he discarded his tainted clothing and washed his body, new gods were born from the droplets, including the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and the Sea God Susanoo. This act, known as Misogi, is the archetype for all Shinto purification rituals. The Oharae-no-Kotoba (Words of the Great Purification), one of the most important Norito, retells this cosmic history, declaring that just as the winds blow away the clouds, the chanting of these words sweeps away the sins and impurities of the people.
Modern Culture: Norito in Daily Life
While Norito sounds ancient, it is vibrantly alive in modern Japan. It is not reserved solely for high priests or imperial rites; it permeates the life of the average citizen.
Life Events
Most Japanese people encounter Norito during Shichi-Go-San (a festival for children), weddings, and Yakuyoke (exorcising bad luck during critical ages). During these private ceremonies, the individual sits inside the worship hall while the priest faces the altar and intones the Norito, mentioning the petitioner’s name and address to the Kami.
Groundbreaking and Safety
Norito is also practical. Before a skyscraper or a house is built, a Jichinsai (ground-breaking ceremony) is held where a priest recites Norito to pacify the earth spirits. Similarly, it is common to see people at shrines having their new cars purified, with the priest chanting over the vehicle to ensure traffic safety.
Traveler’s Tips: Experiencing the Ritual
Travelers often watch Shinto rituals from afar, but you can participate in a formal prayer session, known as Kito, at most major shrines.
- Requesting a Prayer: Look for the reception counter (usually marked as Kito-uketsuke). You do not need to be Shinto to participate. Common requests include travel safety or general well-being.
- The Offering: You will need to pay a fee, called Tamagushi-ryo. It is polite to present this money in a special envelope, though cash is often accepted at the counter for tourists.
- Etiquette: Once inside the main hall, photography is strictly forbidden. Sit quietly (seiza style is traditional, but sitting cross-legged or on a stool is acceptable for foreigners). Bow your head slightly when the priest chants the Norito.
- The Tamagushi: You may be asked to offer a Tamagushi (a sakaki branch with paper streamers) to the altar. Watch the person before you or ask the priest for guidance; generally, you turn the stem toward the altar, bow, and clap twice.
Sources & Further Reading
To deepen your understanding of Norito and Shinto mythology, the following texts and historical records are essential:
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): The oldest extant chronicle in Japan (712 AD), detailing the myths of Izanagi and the origins of the Kami.
- The Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan): Completed in 720 AD, providing a more detailed historical account paralleling the Kojiki.
- The Engishiki (Book 8): The 10th-century compilation that codified the earliest written texts of the Norito prayers.
- Philippi, Donald L. (Translator): Norito: A Translation of the Ancient Japanese Ritual Prayers. This is the definitive English resource for reading the actual texts of the prayers.