A Folkloristic Research on the Tradition of Village Self-Government and the Dou (the little temple) customs in Itsuki-tani, Kyushu-Mountains

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This research has two aims. The first aim is clarifying of the present condition of the Dou (the little temple) which existed in each village of Itsuki-tani, Kyushu-Mountains. The second is analyzing of the Dou's role and character in village lifeResults of this research are as follows :1. Dou has been the central hall for the sake of inhabitants' spiritual life and communication and it was the playground for children. Therefore, Dou had played the important role for the Village self-government and village identity2. Dou is the life facilities which inhabitants assemble in to meet rather than religious facilities to pray3. If Dou is used for the village meeting and its events, it makes a village be cheerful and methodical4. It is significant that the village has public facilities to keep up the village self-government. Consequently, we arrive at the conclusion that hereafter a policy to use sufficiently the Dou in village life is needed