Research on the Formation and Development of Funa-danjiri in Japan : Focusing on the Cases in Western Japan

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K03044
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Cultural anthropology
• Research Institution: The University of Tokushima
• Principal Investigator: TAKAHASHI Shinichi 徳島大学, 大学院社会産業理工学研究部(社会総合科学域), 教授 (10236284)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 船だんじり / 祭り / 山車 / 権力 / 海の文化 / 川の文化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Through this research, I confirm the presence of over 500 "Funa-danjiri" (ship-shaped floats) all over Japan. Many of them are strongly related to the livelihood or commerce through ocean or river. But there are few cases not related to the water like "Ohune" in Azumino, Nagano Prefecture. The form of "Funa-danjiri" can be roughly divided into three types: "Gozafune" (Shogun’s ship in the Edo period), "Kaisen" (cargo vessel), "Kujirabune" (whaling ship),and the other. Most ships were made after the Edo Period as the symbol of regional cultural, economic and political identity. We can regard "Funa-danjiri" as a spectacular ship symbolizing political and economic power at that time.
I found many various types of ships in the festivals through this research. It'll be necessary to study ships in the festivals with a wider viewpoint.

Free Research Field

民俗学