2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
[MZZ42-02] Relation between geoheritages and religious traditions and monuments in Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark
Keywords:Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark, Shikoku Pilgrimage, Kobo-Daishi Cult, megalithic religion, Iwakura
[Introduction]
Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark (hereafter referred to as Muroto UGGp) is a UNESCO Global Geopark located in Muroto City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. One of the missions of the UNESCO Global Geopark is to promote the links between geological heritage and all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage and apply them to geopark activities (UNESCO, 2016). In the area of Muroto UGGp, it is said that Kukai (Kobo-Daishi), a Buddhist monk of the 8th to 9th century, practiced asceticism, and the three temples that are said to have been founded by him (Kongochoji, Shinshoji and Hotsumisakiji Temples) are visited by many pilgrims. There is also a tradition that links Kukai's achievements to the unique topography (geological heritage) of the area, including megaliths and rocky landforms. On the other hand, there are also many shrines enshrined in megaliths, which have their own traditions, apart from the Kobo-Daishi Cult.
This presentation will focus on the geological heritage of Muroto UGGp, especially the characteristic rocky landforms such as megaliths and rocky terrain, and the religious traditions (beliefs, oral traditions and customs) and religious monuments (shrines, halls, and small objects such as sacred ropes and Buddhism statues) associated with them, interviews with local officials and a literature surveys were conducted. The geographical distribution, geological and religious backgrounds obtained as a result are discussed in terms of the formation process of religious traditions and monuments related to the geological heritage.
[Geological Heritage Related to the Kobo-Daishi Cult]
Eleven sites were listed as geological heritage sites related to the Kobo-Daishi Cult. Representative sites include those related to Kukai's ascetic practices (Fudoiwa rock, Mikurodo and Shinmei-kutsu Caves, Gyosui-no-ike), sites and objects believed to have been created by Kukai's supernatural power (Nejiri-iwa Rock, Nijiri-iwa Rock on Mt. Shijuji, Ichiya-konryu-no-iwaya, Mearai-no-ike, Myojo-ishi), and sites where cultural achievements of Kukai are known (inkstone made from an Suzuriiwa Rock). The Myojo-ishi and inkstone were recognized as specialties of the Muroto by Tosa Clan, until the late Edo period (around 1815) at the latest.
[Geological heritage associated with other religious traditions and monuments]
On the other hand, 11 sites were listed as geological heritage sites associated with religious traditions and monuments other than the Kobo-Daishi Cult. Representative examples include a shrine enshrined at the summit of a rocky hill (Kitamyojin at Maruyama), a shrine standing in a rocky place (Itsukushima Shrine), and shrines with megaliths as iwakura or sacred objects (Tobiishi Shrine, Hirataiwa Shrine, and Ryugu Shrine). In addition, there are megaliths that are still the object of prayers (Kosazuke-no-iwa).
[The process of establishment of geological heritage and related religious traditions and monuments]
The distribution of the geological heritage associated with these religious traditions and monuments was summarized and found to be mostly concentrated in the coastal areas. Geologically, the coast of Muroto UGGp is an isolated coast (Maemoku, 2006), and most of it is a rocky coast. Therefore, the distribution of religious traditions and monuments may be related to the concentration of megaliths and rocky landforms in the coastal areas, which may be the object of people's beliefs. Among these, the geological heritages related to the Kobo-Daishi Cult are concentrated around Cape Muroto near Hotsumisaki-ji Temple and around Cape Gyodo near Kongocho-ji Temple. The only inland site is Mt. Shijuji, where Hotsumisaki-ji Temple once stood.
This suggests that the establishment of religious traditions and monuments associated with the geological heritage is due to the multilayered relationship between (1) the megaliths and rocky landforms by emergent coast, (2) megalithic religion in the coast, (3) the historical fact that Kukai practiced asceticism in Muroto, and (4) the existence of pilgrims who traveled on a pilgrimage to the temples.
[References]
UNESCO, 2016, Statutes of the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme [https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/iggp_igcp_ugg_statutes_guidelines_en.pdf]; Maemoku, H., 2006, Jour. Geol. Soc. Japan 122, Suppl., 17–26.
Muroto UNESCO Global Geopark (hereafter referred to as Muroto UGGp) is a UNESCO Global Geopark located in Muroto City, Kochi Prefecture, Japan. One of the missions of the UNESCO Global Geopark is to promote the links between geological heritage and all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage and apply them to geopark activities (UNESCO, 2016). In the area of Muroto UGGp, it is said that Kukai (Kobo-Daishi), a Buddhist monk of the 8th to 9th century, practiced asceticism, and the three temples that are said to have been founded by him (Kongochoji, Shinshoji and Hotsumisakiji Temples) are visited by many pilgrims. There is also a tradition that links Kukai's achievements to the unique topography (geological heritage) of the area, including megaliths and rocky landforms. On the other hand, there are also many shrines enshrined in megaliths, which have their own traditions, apart from the Kobo-Daishi Cult.
This presentation will focus on the geological heritage of Muroto UGGp, especially the characteristic rocky landforms such as megaliths and rocky terrain, and the religious traditions (beliefs, oral traditions and customs) and religious monuments (shrines, halls, and small objects such as sacred ropes and Buddhism statues) associated with them, interviews with local officials and a literature surveys were conducted. The geographical distribution, geological and religious backgrounds obtained as a result are discussed in terms of the formation process of religious traditions and monuments related to the geological heritage.
[Geological Heritage Related to the Kobo-Daishi Cult]
Eleven sites were listed as geological heritage sites related to the Kobo-Daishi Cult. Representative sites include those related to Kukai's ascetic practices (Fudoiwa rock, Mikurodo and Shinmei-kutsu Caves, Gyosui-no-ike), sites and objects believed to have been created by Kukai's supernatural power (Nejiri-iwa Rock, Nijiri-iwa Rock on Mt. Shijuji, Ichiya-konryu-no-iwaya, Mearai-no-ike, Myojo-ishi), and sites where cultural achievements of Kukai are known (inkstone made from an Suzuriiwa Rock). The Myojo-ishi and inkstone were recognized as specialties of the Muroto by Tosa Clan, until the late Edo period (around 1815) at the latest.
[Geological heritage associated with other religious traditions and monuments]
On the other hand, 11 sites were listed as geological heritage sites associated with religious traditions and monuments other than the Kobo-Daishi Cult. Representative examples include a shrine enshrined at the summit of a rocky hill (Kitamyojin at Maruyama), a shrine standing in a rocky place (Itsukushima Shrine), and shrines with megaliths as iwakura or sacred objects (Tobiishi Shrine, Hirataiwa Shrine, and Ryugu Shrine). In addition, there are megaliths that are still the object of prayers (Kosazuke-no-iwa).
[The process of establishment of geological heritage and related religious traditions and monuments]
The distribution of the geological heritage associated with these religious traditions and monuments was summarized and found to be mostly concentrated in the coastal areas. Geologically, the coast of Muroto UGGp is an isolated coast (Maemoku, 2006), and most of it is a rocky coast. Therefore, the distribution of religious traditions and monuments may be related to the concentration of megaliths and rocky landforms in the coastal areas, which may be the object of people's beliefs. Among these, the geological heritages related to the Kobo-Daishi Cult are concentrated around Cape Muroto near Hotsumisaki-ji Temple and around Cape Gyodo near Kongocho-ji Temple. The only inland site is Mt. Shijuji, where Hotsumisaki-ji Temple once stood.
This suggests that the establishment of religious traditions and monuments associated with the geological heritage is due to the multilayered relationship between (1) the megaliths and rocky landforms by emergent coast, (2) megalithic religion in the coast, (3) the historical fact that Kukai practiced asceticism in Muroto, and (4) the existence of pilgrims who traveled on a pilgrimage to the temples.
[References]
UNESCO, 2016, Statutes of the International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme [https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/iggp_igcp_ugg_statutes_guidelines_en.pdf]; Maemoku, H., 2006, Jour. Geol. Soc. Japan 122, Suppl., 17–26.