現代型環境変化と地域における生活文化の変容に関する研究その6 : 誰が民俗を実践するのか? : 集落の人口構成の変化と家の世代深度にみる民俗・慣習の実践者(学部プロジェクト研究)

概要

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Growing number of settlements in rural areas in Japan were supposed to have been endangered due to population outflow and the low birthrate. Based on reports made a half century ago on four settlements in Iwate Prefecture of the Tohoku district of Japan, we've conducted a questionnaire survey to compare the current situations with those of the previous reports. In the paper, we compare each settlement, observing how the age brackets within the population compositions have changed, since it is believed to be an important factor for folk events to be maintained. Then, we review in detail "Drawing of the sacred water" on New Year's Day, one of the annual folk events. How and in what form has the event described in the reports 50 years ago developed been maintained up to now? Although it had vanished in some settlements, leaving just memories of it in residents in the reports of 50 years ago, it has been proved that there are some homes, if not many, which are still practicing the ritual event. However, it has also been proved that long held cultures have not necessarily been maintained even if only a few families in settlements with old history have maintained such folk events. We should draw attention to the methods of maintaining folk customs and collecting documents.