A Study on the Counseling Function of Shamans-Focusing on the Shamans of Okinawa and Tohoku-

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We questioned 7 Okinawa shamans ("Yuta") and 3 Tohoku shamans ("Kamisama") regarding initiation processes, religious cosmologies, and concepts of gods and spirits, and we observed interviews conducted in a religious situation by them. In addition, we investigated the use of shamans by the inhabitants of Okinawa.1. The characteristics of interviews conducted in a religious situation by shamans :(1) Differences between these interviews and counseling interviews based on clinical psychology.(1) The core performance of the interviews conducted in a religious situation by a shaman is to guess the facts relating to the client by supernatural means.(2) A rapport of a peculiar nature is developed by guessing work, and this facilitates the psychological cooperative interaction between the shaman and his/her client.(3) As a common starting point, the shaman and the client hold the same religious cosmology, which forms the basis of the psychological effectiveness of the interview for the client.(2) Similarities between these interviews and counseling interviews based on clinical psychology.(1) Change and reorganization of the phenomenal field as perceived by the client occurs by allowing the client to perceive new meanings.(2) Openness to the sphere beyond awareness is emphasized and encouraged.2. Identity : For some Okinawan people, one's identity is confirmed by discovering the history of one's ancestors, which can be provided in the Shijitadashi of the shaman "Yuta", and by relating oneself to this history.3. Informal support network : In Okinawa, the shaman "Yuta" sometimes plays an important part within the informal family support network.