A FOLKLORISTIC REVALUATION OF THE LEGEND OF JITOH AND ITS SOCIAL ROLE IN ITSUKI VILLAGE,KYUSYU MOUNTAINS

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This study aims to revalue the Jitoh's social role of Itsuki village life in Kuma district, Kumamoto prefecture. Investigations focused on collection of the legends and historical materials of the Jitoh families, especially Kako-cho (a book of writting ancestor names) and tomb. In addition to these reseachs, I tried to look for a diary written by the head of Jitoh family in order to clear the subsistence of Itsuki village life, based on shifting cultivation. And then I found out it written by the Late Satoh Tadashi who lived in Itagi village.The results of these investigations reveal that the Jitoh is not like a feudal lord, but is a helper and protector for village people.In conclusion, we can say that the popular view about the Jitoh's role of vaiilge life should be corrected from these viewpoints.