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Song Seven, verses 1–2

Twelve Songs Commentary

Song Seven touches upon “hinokishin” and “spreading the fragrance” before using agricultural metaphors such as “denji” (rice fields), “yoki-ji” (good field), “ano ji” (that field), “tane” (seeds), and “koe” fertilizer. The contents of Song Seven include sprinkling the fragrance of the teachings, the ideal way faith ought to be, care for the children of the path, the tending and fertilizing, as well as contribution and dedication. Even though it is not mentioned outright, the theme of Song Seven is “fusekomi” or dedicating ourselves to the path and to Jiba specifically.

The structure of Song Seven is that of a dialogue between Kami and human beings. Verses 1 to 4, 6, 8, and 10 are sung from Kami’s viewpoint whereas verses 5, 7, and 9 are expressed from a follower’s standpoint.

Further the “washi” (I) in verses 5 and 9 are claimed by one commentator to be Oyasama expressing sentiments from a human standpoint.1

Verse 1

一ツ      ひとことはなしハひのきしん　にほひばかりをかけておく

一つ　一言話は日の寄進　匂いばかりを掛けて置く

Hitotsu / Hitokoto hanashi wa hinokishin / nioi bakari o / kakete-oku

One / A single word is / hinokishin / fragrance only / emit

Continue reading Song Seven, verses 1–2 →

  1. Hirano 157 and 163. ↩

Song Four, verses 9–10 & Summary

Twelve Songs Commentary,

Verse 9

九ツ      こゝはこのよのごくらくや　わしもはや／＼まゐりたい

九つ　此処はこの世の極楽や　私も早々参り（詣り）たい

Kokonotsu / Koko wa / kono yo no / gokuraku ya / washi mo / hayabaya / mairi-tai

Nine / Here is / this world’s / paradise / I too / quickly, swiftly / want to visit (worship)

Continue reading Song Four, verses 9–10 & Summary →

Song Three Summary

Twelve Songs Commentary

Song Three covers a diverse array of themes, which include:

  • [1st verse] The revelation that the Place for the Service (Jiba) in Shoyashiki is the origin of the world.
  • [2nd verse] Although Oyasama (Oyagami) does not explicitly request anyone to build the Place for the Service, [3rd verse] people outside the Residence will gather to initiate and participate so it will come to be built.
  • [4th verse] You have done well to have followed this far until now, a true, lasting salvation will be made available from now on.
  • [5th verse] Always laughed at and slandered, to the point until Kami will be compelled to promise and provide unprecedented forms of salvation.
  • [6th verse] Do not make any wishes that lack merit or that are not backed up with the necessary effort that will help bring them about. Instead, become of a heart-mind that is straight and unswerving.
  • [7th verse] A declaration: In any situation from now on I will go in a straight and unswerving manner while leaning on Kami.
  • [8th verse] There is nothing more painful than illness. I, too, will join in the hinokishin, to contribute on a day-to-day basis.
  • [9th verse] I have entrusted myself until now, but did not know I was entrusting myself to the original Kami.
  • [10th, finally] At this time, as various forms of protection have been revealed, there is no mistake that an actual Kami, the Source of life’s sustenance is involved.

Continue reading Song Three Summary →

Song Three, verses 9–10

Twelve Songs Commentary, , ,

Song Three, verses 9–10

九ツ      こゝまでしん／＼゛したけれど　もとのかみとハしらなんだ
九つ　 此処迄信心したけれど　元の神とは知らなかった
Kokonotsu / koko made / shinjin shita keredo / Moto no Kami to wa / shirananda
Nine / until here / believed have done but / the original Kami / did not know

十ド　このたびあらはれた　じつのかみにはさうゐない
到頭　此の度現れた　実の神には相違ない
Tōdo / Kono tabi / arawareta / Jitsu no Kami ni wa / sōinai
Ten, finally / This time / appeared / true, actual Kami / there is no mistake

Continue reading Song Three, verses 9–10 →