Reasons for using archaic words in Japanese:
Modern Japanese translations are helpful in understanding the meaning.
On the other hand, when I sing with my voice, the archaic Japanese words, which have a unique melody, evoke a vibration of sound that cannot be produced in modern Japanese. From this perspective, I came up with the idea of using archaic words. When I started translating into archaic words, I was reminded of the immigration of people from ancient times. Also, when chanting, from the perspective of the ancient world of sound, which has a vibration that could be called the "soul of sound" that may be lost in modern Japanese, I, who live in modern Japan, may be an immigrant to that world of sound.
I am an immigrant from the world of sound.
Sanae Kagaya
*Main references for translating archaic words:
Dictionary of modern Japanese to archaic words (Preface by
Haruhiko Kindaichi, edited by Kimio Serifu)