Norito (Ritual Prayer)

Norito are the formal liturgical prayers recited by Shinto priests during ceremonies, rituals, and festivals. Written and chanted in classical Japanese, norito address the kami with words of praise, gratitude, and petition. The language is archaic and highly formulaic, preserving linguistic forms that date back over a thousand years.

Some of the oldest surviving norito are recorded in the Engishiki, a 10th-century compilation of laws and customs. These include prayers for the harvest, for national well-being, and for purification. The Oharae no Kotoba, recited at the great purification ceremonies held in June and December, is one of the most important and frequently performed norito.

The recitation of norito is central to nearly every Shinto ceremony, from grand national rituals to personal blessings for a new car or business. The priest chants in a distinctive, measured cadence, and participants bow their heads in reverence. The words themselves are considered to have spiritual power (kotodama), making the act of speaking them an essential component of the ritual — not merely description but active invocation of divine favor.