의례와 일본 고대국가 형성

Abstract

This paper discusses the state formation in Japan focusing on the role played by rituals. Queen Himiko during her reign in the late second century AD conducted the rite known as gidou (鬼道) for a means of enhancing her political power. The term gidou as used in Sanguozhi (三國志) indicates taoism with implications of shaman skills, beliefs in Immortals, and the state governed by the religion. Given the lack of details of gidou in the Weizhi (魏志), archaeological investigations are desirable to understand the role played by gidou during the Himiko reign. In this context, the present study focuses on Chinese mirrors and pavilion known as loukan(樓觀). Over 150 Chinese mirrors termed gamontaisinjiukyou (畵紋帶神獸鏡) were unearthed from many archaeological sites dated to the Himiko period, and they were included in burials of political leaders throughout Japan. It is plausible that Queen Himiko used these mirrors to strengthen her political status. Given the direct relationship between loukan and Immortals by Han Chinese, the construction of loukan in ancient Japan indicates symbolic meaning about the relationship between human and Immortals. It is likely that Himiko constructed the loukan in the palace to meet Immortals, through which she enhanced the unity of state religion and her political power.