A Study on the Spatial Composition of Christian Settlements and Its Formative Process in Goto Islands

本研究以个案研究的方式，将后藤诸岛的基督教聚落分为两大类，即“隐教聚落”与“天主教聚落”。通过对每类典型聚落的地域结构和形成过程的分析，发现两个聚落具有相同的地域单元构成和分支家族增殖系统。我们认为，基督教聚落的独特景观并不在于宗教方面，而在于习惯性的分支家庭的建立和分割的继承制度。

In this research we attempt to make clear the spatial feature of Christian Settlements in Goto Islands by case studies.Christian Settlements are divided into two categories based on historical circumstances particularly at the Meiji era ; one is "Hidden-Christian Settlement" and another is "Catholic Settlement". We chose typical examples of each category, and analyzed their territorial configurations and formative processes.As a result, it became clear that both settlements have same territorial unit composition and multiplication system of branch families. And we considered that the unique sight of Christian Settlements is not based on religious aspect but customary establishment of branch families and the divided succession system.