日本の精神風土における母なるもの –「神神の微笑」『沈黙』「母なるもの」を中心に–

Abstract

Japanese Christians have passed down their faith as hidden Kirishitan (Christain) after the order of priests’ deportation in 1587 and the ban on missionary work in 1619 in Japan. Although some of them found their way back to Catholic church when a sanctuary named Oura was founded in 1892, the others called Kakure Kirishitan diverged from them. They formed completely different religion which combined with other traditional religions. This paper addresses such issues firstly in the relations with the Japanese history. Furthermore, the spiritual climate in Japan that pursues maternal gods is examined, revolving around Japanese modern authors, Akutagawa Ryunosuke and Endo Shusaku both of whom were interested in the religious characteristics. As for Akutagawa, the aim of this study is to deal with his work, Divine Smile, especially about the Japanization of Christianity and the pursuit of maternal God as a result of a “changing force.” In the analysis of Endo’s Silence, Japanese Christians’ Marianism and their recognition of maternal God are demonstrated. In connection with these themes, this paper also discusses his short story, Motherhood, describing the “maternal thing” with which Japanese faith is overlapped because of their love to their mothers.