Construction and Analysis of the Database of Kaikoku-kuyo-to (Stone Monuments of Pilgrimage around Japan)

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We collected the data of Kaikoku-kuyo-to (stone monuments of the pilgrimage around Japan), and created a database containing 6079 cases. The data were made into a CSV file. Ratio of regional distribution in eastern and western Japan is 3-2, and many monuments exist especially around Kanto district. Although some appeared in the 14th century, most were set up from the 18th century to the middle of the 19th century. The appearance of a mass of monuments at the beggining of the 18th century deserves attention. We know seven purposes of these monuments through the inscriptions. They are (1) commemoration of the accomplished pilgrimage, (2) commemoration of the midway pilgrimage, (3) memorial service of the dead pilgrims, (4) commemoration of hospitality, (5) commemoration of charitable works by pilgrims, (6) the guidepost, and (7) modeling of the pilgrimage destination. We must consider that the monuments with typical inscriptions, in principle, belong to (1), and they are the most. Among these, there are some which engraved the information about the contents of ritual. We can guess that many cases belong to (2) substantially, and the number of (2) is next to (1). (3) has 150-200 cases. There are two types of (3), one is considered as usual gravestones, another is made in accordance with (1) or (2). (4) has more than 100 cases, too. These tell us the custom of lodging 1000 pilgrims. (5) and (6) have both dozens cases. More than half of the (5) cases are to construct bridge. (7) has only one case. All data can be divided into three categories, Kaikoku-kuyo-to in a narrow sense ((1), (2) and a part of (3)), Kaikoku-kuyo-to in a wide sense ((4) and (5) are added), and related stone constructions. From now on, the database will be available to the public.