NORITO

Norito: translation

Ritual prayers. Early examples of norito were collected in the tenth-centuryEngi-Shiki. Norito may be ancient standard prayers or newly created for certain ritual occasions. They are dignified ritual utterances addressed to the kami during Shinto ceremonies. They are both an offering and a description of the attitudes and achievements of the community and the features of the locality. Through norito the kami are both honoured and requested to exert their influence on behalf of the worshippers.