Markers of Earth Deities in Imba District, Chiba Prefecture

PThe author proposes one model of the diffusion system of folk culture elements in his previous paper. Most peasant societies of Japan have their Earth Deity cult in various forms for their good crops. Among them, some creeds are associated with installations of peculiar pentagonal pillars. This doctrine was designed by OE Kyokushitsu and published about 1781 in the book entitled "Shanichi Shogi". Perhaps, people set up the markers according to this doctorine and performed the rites at semi-annual holiday called shanichi. So the author names this kind of markers "Shogi-type". It is possible that his doctorine was shared and handed down by scholars all parts of Japan regardless of the geographical settings. Thus, this sort of the markers appears not merely sporadically, but in group patterns in several districts. It may be ascribed to the influences exerted by local authorities in each district. Tokushima Prefecure including Awaji Island (now, a part of Hyogo Prefecture) is the most salient example of this diffusion type. There, the feudal lord promulgated the decree to enshrine an Earth Deities in each village in 1790. Now, the author presents another case possibly applicable to this model. A number of markers scatter within the area where was in domain of Sakura Clan around 1800 and "Imba Gun Shi" (The History of Imba County) says that the shrine i. e. stone marker, was founded by the order of the clan lord, repeatedly. Though the mechanism of the diffusion and installation of the markers are same in both areas, the difference in distribution pattern is found between them. It is caused from the characteristic disposal of feudal lords in Tokugawa hegemony. Additionally, considerations refer to the relation between the Hotta Family, the Lord of Sakura Clan and Sogo, the martyr of the agrarian movement in Sakura Clan in 1640.departmental bulletin pape