著者

川合 泰代

出版者

一般社団法人 人文地理学会

雑誌

人文地理 (ISSN:00187216)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.58, no.2, pp.181-196, 2006

被引用文献数

1

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<p>The aim of this paper is to study and explain the symbolism of the <i>Shun'nichi</i> in terms of the religious organization, <i>Shun'nichi-kou</i>, in <i>Machi</i> of Nara in the Edo period (1603-1867). The present work is based upon two sources: the first is a sacred map, <i>Mandala</i> of <i>Shun'nichi</i>, which represents a holy place, <i>Mikasa</i> mountain; the second is a ritual conducted by <i>Shun'nichi-kou</i> using the sacred map. This study belongs to the field of cultural geography which incorporates humanistic geography.</p><p><i>Shun'nichi</i> was a sort of unified religion which combined people's faith regarding four different elements: <i>Kohfukuji</i>-temple, <i>Kasuga-Wakamiya</i>-shrine, <i>Kasuga</i>-shrine, and <i>Mikasa</i> mountain. The religion lasted from the Middle Ages to the Edo period in Japan. <i>Shun'nichi</i> was the most powerful organization in Nara in that era.</p><p><i>Mandala</i> of <i>Shun'nichi</i> usually depicts <i>Mikasa</i> mountain in bright green on which many pine trees and Japanese cedars grow. One type of <i>Mandala</i> of <i>Shun'nichi</i> describes <i>Mikasa</i> mountain together with <i>Kasuga</i>-shrine, <i>Kasuga-Wakamiya</i>-shrine, and a part of <i>Kohfukuji</i>-temple; therefore, it looks like a map. Another type of <i>Mandala</i> of <i>Shun'nichi</i> represents a deer as well as <i>Mikasa</i> mountain. All types of <i>Mandala</i> of <i>Shun'nichi</i> show one common belief: as long as the leaves of the trees on <i>Mikasa</i> mountain are bright green, the Gods stay on the sacred mountain. Most of these pictures were described on scrolls.</p><p><i>Shun'nichi-kou</i> in <i>Machi</i> was held on January 21 or another day. <i>Mandala</i> of <i>Shun'nichi</i> was set up on <i>Tokonoma</i> at a member's house (<i>Touya</i>) or a meeting place of <i>Machi</i> (<i>Kaisyo</i>). <i>Tokonoma</i> with <i>Mandala</i> of <i>Shun'nichi</i> was decorated with leaves of evergreen trees such as a Japanese cedar or a pine tree; moreover, rice, sake, and other items were also dedicated. Then they went to the <i>Kasuga-Wakamiya</i>-shrine to dedicate their performance of a special dance known as <i>Kagura</i>.</p><p>Based upon those sources, this paper concludes that the symbolism of <i>Shun'nichi</i> of <i>Shun'nichi-kou</i> was a sacred landscape. The holy place was <i>Mikasa</i> mountain. As long as the leaves of the trees on the mountain were bright green, it was believed that the Gods were present. <i>Kasuga-Wakamiya</i>-shrine, <i>Kasuga</i>-shrine, and a part of <i>Kohfukuji</i>-temple were also often included as a part of the sacred landscape.</p><p>When the Meiji period began, <i>Shun'nichi</i> was banned by the government. After <i>Shun'nichi</i> disappeared, members of <i>Shun'nichi-kou</i> could no longer believe in the sacred landscape.</p>