The examples of the most ancient sentences that were named as 'Norito' are 29 pieces of prayers printed in the eighth volume of "Engishiki" (ancient books for codes and procedures on national rites and prayers) and 'Nakatomi-no-yogoto' printed in "Taiki " (diary of FUJIWARA no Yorinaga) Bekki (additional volume) authored by FUJIWARA no Yorinaga, thus totaling 30 pieces.
祝詞と名づけられた文章のもっとも古い例は、『延喜式』巻八に収録する29篇と藤原頼長『台記』別記所収「中臣寿詞」の計30篇である。