also: すめら · すべ · すべら
prefix
Archaic honorific prefix attached to words related to the emperor or gods, such as 皇大神 (すめおおかみ) 'great imperial deity' or 皇御祖 (すめみおや) 'imperial ancestor'. Not used in modern Japanese outside historical or ritual contexts.
古事記には「皇御祖」という表現が見られる。
In the Kojiki, the expression 皇御祖 (imperial ancestor) can be found.
「皇」は古代において神や天皇を敬う接頭語として使われた。
皇 was used in ancient times as an honorific prefix for gods and emperors.
Rare variant reading.
Rare variant reading.
御 (み) is another archaic honorific prefix, but it is more general and can be used for things related to gods, emperors, or even ordinary respectful contexts, while 皇 (すめ) is specifically tied to imperial or divine majesty.
The prefix 皇 (すめ) is of Old Japanese origin, likely related to the verb 統べる (すべる) 'to rule' or 澄む (すむ) 'to be clear/pure', but the exact derivation is uncertain. It appears in ancient texts as an honorific for the emperor and deities.