近世真宗優勢地帯における浄土宗の思想的機能：鯨回向を手がかりに=The Ideological Role of Pure Land Buddhism in Regions where the True Pure Land Sect Dominated in the Early Modern Period: The Case of the Memorial Service for Whales
In this paper I examine the Pure Land (Jodoshu) and True Pure Land (Jodo Shinshu) sects in Choshu Mae Otsu-Saihan 長州前大津宰判 region and evaluate their ideological function as a Buddhist component supporting early modern society. We know that the Jodo Shinshu held sway in this area on the basis of the percentage of temples, believers, and the variety of religious rites conducted therein. This was due to the spread of the Shin sect after the middle of the 16th century and the formation of a bond of unity developed between groups of adherents and their local temples. In the Kayoi-Ura 通浦 area, which is part of the Choshu Mae Otsu-Saihan region, net whaling developed after the latter half of 17th century, and San'yo 讃誉, a priest of Koganji 向岸寺, a Jodo sect temple, instituted a memorial service for whales. From about the 1690s, this memorial service took on a unique style with mortuary tablets, tombs, posthumous Buddhist names, and death registers offered for the whales. A memorial service for whales was also held in Setozaki-Ura 瀬戸崎浦, an area also within the Choshu Mae Otsu-Saihan region. In addition, the Jodo temple Saienji 西円寺 was erected in Ohibi-Ura 大日比浦, another area in Choshu Mae-Otsu-Saihan, and San'yo became the first chief priest. The Jodo sect had a popular following in these areas. And the memorial services of the Jodo sect played a ideological role that the Shin sect could not play. This role was to absolve the people who made their livelihood by killing whales and other creatures.
