Comprehensive Study of Multi-faceted Aspects of Documents Related to Shinto Shrines : based upon the analysis of extant documents handed down by old shrines

在2000-2002财政年度的研究期间，我们小组对出云大神社、严岛神社和祇园八坂神社的相关文献进行了研究。先前对这三座神社进行的研究被整理，每座神社的文献都被编入索引。还编制了每个神社的年代表，以确认其各自的历史。在这项基础工作之后进行了联合研究，得出了以下发现。我们确认，大多数古代神殿的起源是未知的。即使以出云大神社为例，尽管人们普遍认为它的存在是由于《Kojiki》和《Nihon Shoki》中包含的神话，但我们可以证实神社存在的最早的历史文献是765年的《Shinshokakuchokufusho》。一方面，有许多历史方面是未知的，另一方面，各种类型的神话和传说往往加强了人们对神殿的更确定的看法。从这个意义上说，这也证实了对神殿起源的多学科研究在未来的特殊重要性。对日本神社历史的研究表明，除了保持有利条件的神社外，许多神社在14世纪（南北朝廷时期）和16世纪（战国时期）衰落或被拆除，后来在17世纪复兴。对这一历史过程进行详细的调查是很重要的。与此同时，神社收藏的文献没有经历严重的衰退，具有很大的历史价值，严岛神社的文献就是这些文献价值极高的一个例子。虽然很容易给神社内的树林和灌木丛赋予象征意义，但可以肯定的是，神社周围的植物群随着时间的推移而发生了变化。同样重要的是要认识到，即使是看起来很老的树，实际上也相对年轻。例如，近代早期的文献和图片描绘了祗园Yasaka神社被松树林包围。然而，今天，这些树大多已经消失，取而代之的是其他树木，常绿阔叶樟树是主要品种。总之，我们的研究证实了对神社等建筑进行历史和科学研究的重要性，这很容易赋予其特殊的文化意义。少

During the fiscal 2000-2002 research period, our group conducted a study of documents related to Izumo Grand Shrine, Itsukushima Shrine, and Gion Yasaka Shrine. Previous research undertaken on the three shrines was collated and the documents for each of these shrines were indexed. Choronological tables for each shrine were also compiled for the purpose of confirming their respective histories. This basic work was followed by joint research, which yielded the following findings.We confirmed that the origins of most ancient shrines are unknown. Even in the case of Izumo Grand Shrine, for example, despite the widespread perception of the existence of the shrine owing to the myths contained in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, the earliest historical document from which we can confirm the shrine's existence is the Shinshokakuchokufusho of 765. While on the one hand there are many historical aspects that are unknown, on the other hand various types of myths and legends have tended to reinforce ce … More rtain perceptions about shrines. In this sense as well, this confirms the particular importance that multidisciplinary research into the origins of shrines will have in the future. An examination of the history of shrines in Japan shows that with the exception of shrines that managed to maintain advantageous conditions, many shrines fell into decline or were removed during the 14th Century (period of the Southern and Northern Courts) and the 16th Century (period of Warring States), to be revived later during the 17th Century. A detailed inquiry into this historical process is important. At the same time, documents in the collections of shrines that did not experience significant decline are of great historical value, with the documents of Itsukushima Shrine one example of how extremely valuable these documents are. Although it is easy to attach symbolic significance to the woods and thickets in the shrines precincts, it is certain that flora surrounding shrines changed over time. It is also important to realize that even trees that appear old are, in fact, relatively young. For instance, documents and pictures dating from the Early Modern period portray the Gion Yasaka Shrine surrounded by a forest of pine trees. Today, however, most of these trees have gone and have been replaced by other trees, with the evergreen and broadleaf camphor tree being the main variety. In conclusion, our study corroborated the importance of conducting historical and scientific research into structures such as shrines, to which it is easy to attribute special cultural significance. Less