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Origins and socio-cultural context of Hono-sumo(奉納相撲) in the Meiji Jingu Shrine
日本硏究
2019,
(50), pp.201-216
Publisher : The Center for Japanese Studies
Research Area : Japanese Language and Literature
Publisher : The Center for Japanese Studies
Research Area : Japanese Language and Literature
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Japanese sumo wrestled with the festivities of the shrine. This continues to this day. In particular, shrines with a special historical, social and cultural status such as the Meiji Jingu Shrine, Ise Jingu Shrine and Yasukuni Shrine regularly perform ceremonies related to sumo wrestling. In this paper, the origins and changes of the Japanese Meiji Jingu Hono-sumo(奉納相撲) were examined with a focus on the socio - cultural context of the time.The socio-cultural context in which Meiji Jingu shogunate sumo wrestlers can be summarized as follows. First, before the modern era, there was a base that had enjoyed watching sumo. Second, it originated from the folk tradition of dedicating sumo to the rituals of shrines and temples throughout the country since the modern era. Third, in the process of modernization, when Sumo was in danger of being abolished, Sumo Association officials strengthened their relationship with Shinto, including Meiji Shrine, as a self-help measure to escape the crisis. Fourth, it is consistent with the historical, political, and social context of strengthening nationalism as a whole. Fifth, the same socio-cultural context was combined with the so-called “national flag sumo”.
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