일본 헤이안 시대의 문학작품에 나타난 의례식(儀禮食)의 원형 연구 -곡령신앙을 중심으로-

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the prototype of the mochi, an embodiment of the grain soul faith, by looking at ancient myths, inherited folk tales, and legendry and monogataries from the Heian Period. First, the study looked at the grain soul faith in myths. Their traces were found in Fudoki (風土記) published in the Nara Period. At the base of the folk tale called 'Mochinomato (餅の的)' are presented the grain soul faith and the agricultural rituals. Second, the study looked at the aspects of the ritual food, particularly the rice-based mochi appearing in the literary works from the Heian Period. Nihon Ryoiki', a Buddhist legendry from the Heian Period describes a scene of mochi being offered to a temple as a donation for consecration ceremony. This shows that Buddhism was infused with the grain soul faith in this period. Third, the study was able to examine the Comeal thought and the grain soul faith which had been passed down from the mythological age through Ikanomochi (五十日餅), which celebrated a child 50 days after birth by preparing the mochi, and Mikayonomochi (三日夜餅), which declared the marriage of a man and a woman official 3 days after their having sex by preparing and sharing the mochi. Thus, the results of this study showed that the ancient Japanese perceived the great vitality in the growing plants, especially in rice; believed in their mystical power; recognized the embodiment of the grain soul to be the food, the mochi; and regarded it as an important ritual food that should not be absent in rites of life or annual events.