Research on the dynamic phenomena of folk religions on the Natudomari Peninsula

Research Project

Project/Area Number	15520056
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Section	一般
Research Field	Religious studies
Research Institution	Hirosaki University
Principal Investigator	MOROOKA Michihiko Hirosaki University, Faculty of Humanities, Professor, 人文学部, 教授 (70133915)
Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha)	YAMADA Ituko Hirosaki University, Faculty of Humanities, Associate Professor, 人文学部, 助教授 (20344583) KOIKE Junichi National Museum of Japanese History, Associate Professor, 助教授 (60241452) KIMURA Tosiaki Tohoku University, the Graduate School of Arts and Letters, Associate Professor, 大学院・文学研究科, 助教授 (80322923)
Project Period (FY)	2003 – 2005
Project Status	Completed (Fiscal Year 2005)
Budget Amount *help	¥3,500,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000) Fiscal Year 2005: ¥1,200,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000) Fiscal Year 2004: ¥900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000) Fiscal Year 2003: ¥1,400,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000)
Keywords	peninsula / itako (spiritual medium) / gomiso (folk shaman) / shugen / hyouchakusin (house deities) / okunaisin (house deities) / osirasama (a household kami) / シラガミサマ(オシラサマ)
Research Abstract	The aim of this research is to analyse the dynamic phenomena of folk religions in the Natudomari Peninsula. The Natudomari Peninsura, enclosed on three sides by Mutu bay and on the other side by the Hakkoda mountains, is located in northeastern Japan(Aomori Prefecture). On this small peninsula there are many Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples and odou (shrines of other folk religions). People who live on this peninsula go to these to pray on festival days, but they also have many household deities, called osirasama (a household kami), ebisusama, ryuujinsama and so on, in their house, and pray household deities for every day well-being. We analysed these behaviors, and clarified the dynamic phenomena of the folk religions. Therefore we have obtainned many results through this research project : KOIKE Junichi, Legends and festivals related to the camellia at the Tubaki shrine on the Natudomari Peninsula MOROOKA Michihiko, Study of Osirasama (a household god), enshrined in family kamidana (god shelves) KIMURA Tosiaki, Gods from the sea : the background and transition of Hyochakushin worship on the Natudomari Peninsula, Aomori, Japan YAMADA Izuko, The Role of Spirit Mediums, wandering Natudomari Peninsula KOBAYASI Akiko, Aspects of Occupation and the Acceptance of "TABI" on the Natudomari Peninsula, Aomori Prefecture MURANAKA Kendai, Notes and reprints of Nikkouin and Seihouin Documents