Basic research on the activities of the Zen monk disciples of Hotto-kokushi from the late Kamakura period to the Muromachi period

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K00845
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 03020:Japanese history-related
• Research Institution: Wakayama Prefectural Museum
• Principal Investigator: Sakamoto Ryota 和歌山県立博物館, 学芸課, 学芸課長 (40435904)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 臨済宗法燈派 / 興国寺 / 無本覚心（法燈国師） / 慶雲至一（至一上人） / 孤峰覚明 / 紀伊半島

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The Rinzai sect's Hottoha school, whose founder was Muhon Kakushin, received deep devotion from the courtiers, along with the Ritsu sect, from the end of Kamakura to the period of the Northern and Southern Courts, and began to expand into regional areas. His disciples were also closely involved with the Southern Court and later with the Northern Court, and had a great influence on the politics, religion, and culture of the period. Despite this, due to the scarcity of historical materials, sufficient research is currently not being conducted.
In this study, we will focus on the achievements and development of the Zen monks of the Rinzai sect, Hottoha, which boasted great power during the period from the end of the Kamakura period to the Muromachi period, focusing on Kokokuji, the main temple, and the Kii Peninsula. We collected related materials, including art and crafts, reconstructed the footprints, and presented basic materials.

Free Research Field

日本中世史

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究においては、これまで十分に位置付けられてこなかった臨済宗法燈派禅僧の活動について、紀伊半島を中心に、古文書・古記録をはじめ僧伝資料・語録・美術工芸品・近世文書・地誌など各種資料を集約・公開し、派祖である法燈国師（無本覚心）に留まらず、その弟子たちについても位置付けた点で学術的に大きな意義がある。また臨済宗法燈派禅僧の活動の一モデルとして慶雲至一の足跡について、各種資料を駆使して示すことができたことも成果である。あわせて博物館展示として一般市民に対して社会還元を図り、また現在は失われた「法燈派」の存在と活動について、寺院関係者に提示できた点も社会的な意義があったと言えよう。