오키나와(沖繩) ‘아가리우마이(東御廻り)’의 낙원지향성

Abstract

‘Agariumai’ is a sort of pilgrimage which is performed on the main land andsurrounding islands of Okinawa. It is a rite held to wish for national prosperity anda good harvest from during the Ryukyu Dynasty. Its original form was found inthe 『Kyuyou』 recording that kings traveled to Chinen and Tamagusuku which areknown as birthplaces of rice farming. However, the worshipping ofAgari(east) is aclue that leads us to guess that 'Agariumai’ originated from folk customs. To itseast, Niraikanai, the paradise of Okinawa, is located. ‘Agariumai’ was held as an agricultural rite from the Ryukyu Dynasty. It wasbelieved that Amamikiyo brought crop seeds from Niraikanai and began to growthem in Agarikata indicating Chinen and Tamagusuku. With the belief that the kingof Ryukyu was a son of the sun rising in ‘Tedagaana’ of Niraikanai, it was heldas a royal rite. Now, ‘Agariumai’is held in September and October. Then theabundance derived from Niraikanai. 'Agariumai’ is a sacrificial rite for villages andfamily ancestors in Niraikanai. It is also Niraikanai that brings peace and happinessto individuals. In this contest, ‘Agariumai’ is a physical language that speaks to Ryukyu andof the Okinawa people toward Niraikanai, a paradise over the sea.