Historical Folklore Studies on Religious Thoughts and Commemorative Activities in Local Societies

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K01179
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 04030:Cultural anthropology and folklore-related
• Research Institution: Ikuei Junior College
• Principal Investigator: Satou Kikuichirou 育英短期大学, その他部局等, 准教授 (30728358)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 地域神話 / 神道集 / 歴史実践 / 地域的アイデンティティ / 由緒 / 伝説 / 文化の政治学

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Among the so-called "Kouzuke SInwa," I focused on several stories concerning the origin of the region (Kouzuke) and the origin of the rule, and studied their relationship with political legitimacy and identity. In particular, during this research period, I investigated the family traditions of the Obata clans of Ichinomiya in Kouzuke , which claimed genealogical continuity with the ancient powerful clans, from the end of the Middle Ages to the early modern period. I clarified how they legitimized the right of ritual and also shaped their regional identity.

Free Research Field

民俗学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

いわゆる「上州の語り物」（上野神話）に関わるものとして学界から注目されてきた、群馬県地域の地方色豊かな宗教的文書や歴史記録類を調査研究し、学術的価値の高い貴重な資料を写真撮影、デジタルデータ化することができた。特に、初公開の文書を多く含む上野国一宮大宮司小幡家文書については、文書群全体を撮影し、研究可能なものにしたことの意義は大きい。さらに、当事者へのインタビュー調査などを通じて、「上州の語り物」の管理者と想定できる宗教的職能者集団の歴史や、近代化以降の動向を明らかにすることができた。