일본 요괴문화 원형 속의 여성 요괴 이미지와 상상의 계보-여성 요괴 우부메(産女)를 중심으로-

Abstract

Considering the process of the image of Ubume, its diversity and meaning in Japanese female yokai tales, one cannot regard it as a simple yokai passing by in fad. Ubume forms one large central axis in the lineage of the image of the major female yokai portrayed in the Japanese yokai culture. The main goal of this paper is to reconsider the meaning of the critical issues associated with the origin and the development of the clear image of Ubume, by examining the lineage of the image and imagination of Ubume, which is focused on as the scope of female yokai in this paper. This study examined the issues surrounding the name and notation of Ubume, the development of Ubume’s image within the literary transition, the background of the fundamental limitation of female yokai with relation to her feminity, birth, and children, and lastly investigated the modern transformation of Ubume used in various ways. As a result, Ubumee was regarded as the existence of fear from the traditional image of yokai, the existence of deep grudge against dying without giving a birth to any children, and the existence of motherhood to take endless care of children. The image of Ubume has incessantly changed and handed down within the characteristics of each region and the special circumstances faced by those who live there, experiencing those regional characteristics. In the future, the Ubume story, its derived images, the ranges of the recognition, the patterns of interpretations, and the transformations are all expected to continue to be diversified in many ways.