『義経記』に現れた熊野信仰

Abstract

This paper examines how the Kumano Faith (熊野信仰) is portrayed in Gikeiki (義経 記), particularly focusing on the deity of Kumano Gongen (熊野権現) and the role of the Kumano Faith. First of all, Dainagon, along with Moronaga, prays to Kumano Gongen for the healing of his daughter. If his prayer is answered, he will pay a visit of thanks to Kumano around spring of next year. Also, in the scene where Tosabo Shoson rushes to Kyoto as if he were on a Kumano pilgrimage, Kumano Gongen is depicted as the entity to which the first harvest is dedicated, and the firstfruits of the harvest must be considered first and foremost when it comes to the worship of Kumano. Furthermore, in the scene where the background of the Horikawa Youchi (night attacks) is detailed through the mouth of Yoshitsune, worshiping Kumano with an unhealed illness is to be avoided. One can catch a glimpse of how Kumano as a god detests uncleanliness, unlike the way he is described in Shintoshu and Ippen Hijiri-e, where he is described as One who saves those who are unclean, like women having a menstrual period. The Kumano Faith is the background of the Benkei story, which has the same structure as those of the Kumano folklore in the sense that it contains the story of the birth of Benkei, as in Benkei being described as the legitimate son of Betto, an abnormal birth, an abandoned child, etc. In addition, the large framework of the story of Benkei as a Kumano Yamabushi is based on the Kumano Faith, and thus, it can be said that the Kumano Faith plays an important role in the story of Benkei.