相模大山木太刀奉納の起源

──初代市川団十郎の元禄六年自記を介して──

抄録

Since the middle of the Edo Period, several long, wooden swords had been dedicated to the Sagami-Ohyama Sacred Place (the Temple & Shrine), located in the sacred mountain of Ohyama. It is believed that this custom was based on the historical facts written in Azuma Kagami, according to which Hojo Masako devoted the guarding sword when she gave birth to a boy. Other versions believe that the custom began as a samurai prayer for their martial arts, which was later imitated by people using wooden swords. However, disputing these popular explanations, this thesis attempts to prove that Ichikawa Danjūrō I was the key person who developed this custom. In 1690 (Genroku, 3^rd year), he promised to offer long, wooden swords to Acala (Fudo Myoo) of Ohyama in gratitude for his advanced acting techniques if he could perform the role of Edo kabuki, a character with a superior sword with supernatural powers derived from the Acala. In fact, a craftsman of Nakabashi-okemachi had first attributed a long, wooden sword to the Ohyama Afuri Shrine in proxy of Danjūrō.