신(神)들의 일본 - 잊혀진 신들과 만들어진 신들

Abstract

Nowadays there are about one hundred and twenty thousand Shinto shrines(神社) in Japan. They show some very outstanding features: (1)far-reaching network among gods, which is composed of a "honsha"(本社, head shrine) and thousands of "bunsha"(分社, branch shrine). The most popular among them are such as "Hachiman shrine"(八幡宮), “Inari shrine"(稻荷神社), ”Tenman shrine"(天滿宮), and "Ise shrine"(伊勢神社). (2)very close relation to the daily lives of Japanese people. (3)mundane worldview. (4)connection with kind of commercialism. I have examined the relationship between Japanese Shinto shrines and Japanese culture in general. In so doing, I have particularly stressed on the meaning of the forgotten ancient gods, as well as newly built gods at Yasukuni Shrine(靖國神社), Kusunoki Shrine(楠社), Hirose Shrine(廣瀨神社), Togo Shrine(東鄕神社), Nogi Shrine(乃木神社), etc. in modern era. In conclusion, I have maintained the importance of seeing Japan in gods as a totally "Other" from the viewpoint of the so-called "battle of memory".