STUDY ON TENNO'S AND THE ARISTOCRAT'S (KUGYO) PUTTING-ON-AND-OFF-THEIR-FOOTXVEAR ON THE FLOOR OF "SHISHINDEN" : Study at the rituals

Abstract

In this thesis the actual conditions of Tenno's and the aristocrat's (Kugyo) putting-on-and-off-their-footwear (shoes) through rituals on the floor of "Shishinden" in the Imperial Palace of Heiankyu are described. Especially considering the aristocrat's (Kugyo) way which was different from other ritual way, they were granted a privilege of stepping into "Shishinden" putting off their footwear at the time of the rite to mark Tenno's attainment of manhood (Genpuku). The reason from which this style come is that Chinese (Tang) style was imitated at this time of Seiwa Tenno' s era.