덴구(天狗)와 너구리의 비교연구 - 불교적인 영향을 중심으로 -

Abstract

Dengu has taken different shapes and contained different characteristics according to the change of the times since it began to appear as a mystified and imaginary figure in the form of a bird that flies using its wings. In the Middle Age of Japan, Dengu took the form of a long and red-nose pilgrim of the religious sect Shugendo. Shugendo is a highly syncretic religious sect where the ascetics are engaged in supernatural practices in the mountains, and the mountains are related with Dengu. In the Middle Age, Dengu was identified with yamabushi (literally: “One who hides in the mountains”), or Japanese mountain-based ascetic hermits, and Dengu is known to have dwelled in the mountains where the ascetics of Shugendo was practicing. The ascetics of Shugendo were either the practitioners of Dengu or dengu themselves. Yamabushi, originally callded Sanshakubo was reborn as Akibagongen (=Dengu in Akibasan) by engaging in supernatural practices, according to a story that has been handed down to this day. Akibagongen has been established as a deity that, with miraculous power,prevents fire and robbery from arising or happening. Above all, Akibagongen is known to exert extraordinary miracle of preventing fire and to have formed power in and around the Central Japan and East Japan alike. The racoon has been remembered as a mysterious creature that shared the most common and similar characteristics with Dengu. Racoons are closely associated with Buddhism that is famous for the racoon monk of Kenchoji and the racoon beat of Shojoji. It was portrayed as a god of animals in Minoyama Daimyozin, the guardian diety of Yashimaji. The outcome of this study is a close examination that Dengu and the racoon have been transformed and have deeply permeated in the Japanese cultures under the influence of Buddhism.