『とはずがたり』における当麻曼陀羅説話の性格について

Abstract

In 『Dowazhugatari』 performance section, Neejo who became a Buddhist nun, describes the folktale and impressions associated with the mystical land she visited in person. This study is comparing the contents of Taimamandara folktale introduced in 『Dowazhugatari』and Taimamandara folktale which is known in the world at that time and study the meaning of the Taimamandara folktale for Neejo. Compared to the folktale known to the world at the time, the contents of Taimamandara folktale in 『Dowazhugatari』 is simply described but it also has the basic established requirements for the Taimamandara folktale. On the other hand, in this story, there is a requirement that is not described in　『Dowazhugatariw』hich is the part that the daughter of Japanese high vassal Yokohagi is reincarnated in paradise. In the Kamakura era, it was a time when the pure land Buddhism which women can also be reincarnated in paradise if chant a Buddhist prayer, was popular. Even if the paradigm part is omitted in the『 Dowazhugatari with th』e background of the history of the pure land Buddhism, it is assumed that it was taken for granted that the heroine was reincarnated in paradise. What Neejo did not describe this part of the story which the women’s being reincarnated in paradise, is a reflection of the guilt of those who have not been reincarnated in paradise by their own faults in connection with their lives. Rather than hope for Neejo’s own being reincarnated in paradise, It can be interpreted as a reflection of her desire to pray for the being reincarnated in paradise of those who have failed to be reincarnated in paradise because of her, and to want to hold off hers own.