Writing and Worshiping : A Study of the Soshi on Miyako Island, Okinawa(Special Theme)

Abstract

This paper aims at describing how soshi (book use for personal deity) are used in southern villages on Miyako Island, Okinawa. Soshi are related with the worship of personal guardian deities and making of Uruka Calendar. This study points out the perspectives presented by soshi, and considers the role and contribution of 'Anthropology at home', especially in case of contemporary Japan. Firstly, I will give a brief review of soshi studies, and pick up some anthropological approaches from them. Secondly, following them, I will make an ethnographical description of soshi's mode of application using my own field data as well as former materials. These data show that soshi is connected with the maugan (personal guardian deity) worship and subsumed into them without exception. It can be pointed out that soshi represent the multilayered and multiplex relationship between mutou (utaki, in southern villages on Miyako Island) deities and villagers. And, through the consideration of making Uruka calendar using soshi as notes for Calendar, it can be observed that soshi is to Uruka calendar what Ozassyo is to Koyomi. These operations of soshi tells how Ozassyo were accepted into Ryukyu Culture in the pre-modern age. This form can be seen before 1714, and more study on various calendars in Southern parts of Japan may clarify the details. Books or clusters of letters are accepted and interpreted uniquely apart from the original content, and play an important part in reorganization of the practice of worship. From these discussions, it can be concluded that anthropological approach and methodology occupy a unique position in literate society, and present the possibility of collaborative study with history and sociology.