Study of the formation and transformation of the myth of Izumo through the analysis of the myth of exterminating Yamata no worochi

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K00934
• 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: Shukutoku University
• Principal Investigator: Morita Kikuo 淑徳大学, 人文学部, 教授 (10742132)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: ヤマタノヲロチ / スサノヲ / 出雲 / 吉備 / ヤマト王権 / 神楽 / 鉄生産

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The historical background of the establishment of Yamata no orochi extermination myth, which is famous among Japanese myths, is the historical fact that from the 6th century to the 7th century, the Yamato sovereignty unified Izumo and Kibi in preparation for the Battle of Hakusonko and mobilized military forces. revealed to be related to Next, we confirmed the influence of the "Sendaikujihongi," which reorganized the myths of "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki," as a premise for the spread of the myth of exterminating Orochi, which is a myth of royal power, in the local community since the early modern period.
In addition, it was revealed that Susanowo, who exterminated the Worochi, had the dual nature of being both an evil god and a hero during the Middle Ages. Furthermore, it became clear that the idea that the myth of exterminating the Orochi was related to the people involved in the production of iron was established in the modern era.

Free Research Field

日本古代史・神話学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ヤマタノヲロチ退治神話の分析を通して、出雲系神話は出雲を含めた山陰地方だけではなく、吉備や安芸など山陽道諸国や朝鮮半島とも深い関わりを持ち、空間的な広がりを持つことを明らかにできた。また、時代の変化に対応して、さまざまな解釈が加えられ、変容した神話がどのような形で地域社会へ浸透していくのか、この点についても明らかにできた。
さらに、今日、地域社会でイメージされているヤマタノヲロチの姿は、近代以降に形成されたことなども明らかになった。本研究は、中国山地という具体的なフィールドから出発している。神話研究における現地調査の有効性を提示できた点で、従来の神話研究に一石を投じたものであると確信できる。