스사노오 신화해석의 문제: 한반도와의 연관성을 중심으로

Abstract

Japanese myth in the Kojiki(古事記) and Nihonshoki(日本書紀) can be said to be in essence a political myth systematically reorganized for the purpose of justifying the sovereignty of the Royal Family. According to the Kojiki and Nihonshoki mythology, Susano(須佐之男命) challenged his elder sister Amaterasu(天照大神), supreme deity as the sun goddess, and was finally banished from Heaven(高天原), descending to Earth in Izumo(出雲) near the headwaters of the Hi River. In result, the sovereignty of Amaterasu was confirmed and her descendant Jimmu(神武) became the first emperor, and with the establishment of the imperial line, the "Age of the Gods"(神代) came to an end.

This paper investigates Susano myth in the Kojiki and Nihonshoki as well as Izumo-no-kuni-no-Fudoki(出雲國風土記) etc., with an outline of the numerous interpretations about Susano, especially focusing on the involvement in the Korean Peninsular. In terms of the close relationship between Susano myth and the Korean Peninsular, I will analyze various legends such as about Soshimori(曾尸茂利), Karasahi(韓鋤), Yamatano-orochi(八俣大蛇), Dragon=Snake Deity(龍蛇神), Kumanari((熊成), Karakami(韓神), Sohori(添), Kunihiki(國引き), the Origin of Grains, and Susano as the shamanistic Iron Deity as well. In conclusion, I would like to suggest the reason why Shinto shrines(神社) are important in studying Japanese myth, in association not only with the issue of "myth and history" but also with the problem of "memory".