Of course, this particular rendition is not a primary source of the Battle of Yashima. But if you've learned anything from us here on Cleyera, I hope one thing you've learned is that words have spirit (kotodama), and thus, stories have power, mundane and otherworldly.

Thank you for listening. 🙇‍♀️

I also think it's interesting the way it's presented here-- starting from Hachiman-sama and then *specifically* naming the Nasu family's hometown gods, and then in the same breath saying "make me mess up if I lose my nerve and go home."

But let's remember that while Nasu no Yoichi prayed to Hachiman-sama, he also had the "sweat equity" of longtime practice in archery.

So the lesson I (Nyri) take from this is, our gods hear us in our time of need, but we need to do our own part, too, in the training and in the doing.

Of course, the delivery of this prayer is particularly over-the-top-- he's making an entreaty and offering his life if the gods don't help him.

And sure enough, as the story goes, the gods came through.

And of course, not only did the arrow strike its mark, it pinned the fan to the mast of the Heike ship.

"...I ask that you help me strike the center of that fan!
If I miss it, I shall break my bow in half and take my own life
And nevermore shall I show my face to others!
If I dare once think of turning back for my home province,
Then make my arrow miss its mark!"

Then he opened his eyes and drew.

According to this retelling, Nasu no Yoichi prayed thus:

"Hail, Great Bodhisattva Hachiman!
And I call in particular on my home country's gods:
Utsu-no-miya, avatar of the Sun
And you, Great Radiant Kami of the Nasu Spring...

A Heike-biwa ballad presented in this concert of 4 different types of biwa tells one version of the story that gives a particularly moving and honestly somewhat gut-wrenching rendition of the prayer. It's in the 5th "chapter" here, starting from the timestamp:

youtu.be/ZvZo51QYMxw?...

#Shinto
They are their own beings. Learn their native names and say hello yes, but remember they are different.

This was something that came up in attempt to record @cleyerapodcast.bsky.social last night with @riversidewings.bsky.social but had to be cut.

Yes-- that's pretty much what we said.

An honor to have your follow ⛩️