Japanese imperial successions consist of three contexts of ritual and ceremonial: the senso, the sokui rei, and the daijō sai. Each of these is described for the successions of the Emperors Meiji, Taishō and Shōwa. Changes are identified, notably the introduction into the latter two of traditional elements giving them increased religious content. Interpretations of the symbolism and meaning of the succession have hitherto been confined to an examination of the daijō sai. Two approaches are identified. One is based on classical codifications and recorded instances of procedure. Here, the ritual centres on the partaking of food by the Emperor and the kami, thereby strengthening the spiritual power of the former. The other is based on myth and legendary history and interprets the daijō sai as the occasion for the transfer of an imperial soul through the transformation and rebirth of the Emperor. The article proposes an interpretation which, by contrast, embraces all three contexts, namely, that the main theme is of the successively closer communication of the Emperor with the kami in each of these. Finally, the nature of the Emperor's elevation is considered, being related on the one hand to more general notions of divinity among the Japanese, and on the other to similar contexts in Hindu kingship. The conclusion is that succession rituals involve a temporary and contextual divinity, which may then overflow into a more general elevation or sacredness, and that the Japanese case is an example of a situation also found in other monarchical successions.
雑誌名
Nichibunken Japan review : bulletin of the International Research Center for Japanese Studies
巻
2
ページ
35 - 61
発行年
1991-01-01
ISSN
09150986
書誌レコードID
AA10759175
フォーマット
application/pdf
著者版フラグ
publisher
その他の言語のタイトル
近代天皇の皇位継承儀礼
出版者
International Research Center for Japanese Studies
Recent Succession Ceremonies of the Emperor of Japan
IJ0202.pdf
(1.81MB)
