The Effect of The Sea on Japanese Folk Beliefs: The Example of Maitreya’s Ship

Mevlüde Köroğlu Yetkin

Makale detayları

The Effect of The Sea on Japanese Folk Beliefs: The Example of Maitreya’s Ship

Yazarlar:

Mevlüde Köroğlu Yetkin

Yayıncı:

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University

Ana Başlıklar:

Doğu Dinleri ve Gelenekleri Araştırmaları

Dergi:

Rize İlahiyat Dergisi Issue 28, pp.217-227

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

4/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001340714

pISSN:

2980-0331

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 The sea has been one of the most influential elements in the faith life of the Japanese during history. However, it has not been dwelled on much either by Japanese folklorists or in formal discourse. Therefore, the influence of the sea on Japanese folk faiths has not been understood until the modern period. In this study, the effect of the sea on Japanese folk faiths has been attempted to be revealed with the example of Maitreyas ship. Buddhism and Maitreya Buddha faith, which came to Japan from outside, first encountered the elements that the Japanese believed and worshipped before and gained a different meaning and interpretation with the influence of them. This study focuses on how Maitreya, the savior of Buddhism and the future Buddha, acquired a color as a result of encountering and merging with Japanese folk faiths. In the first part, some sea based Japanese folk faiths were examined. Especially tokoyo and takarabune, which influenced the faith of Maitreya Buddha, were dwelled on. Tokoyo is an afterlife that the Japanese describe as timeless and eternal and spatially beyond the sea. It was believed that tokoyo was the place where the souls of people migrated and continued to live who died with Kamies. In addition, some products which came to Japan were thought that the first source of an origin. Although tokoyo is thought to be a kind of heavenly depiction, that is hard to say what the narratives about tokoyo present a complete depiction of paradise. The ship believed to have come from tokoyo has been named takarabune. This ship was believed to be led by the Seven Gods of Fortune called Shichi Fukujin. The Seven Fortune Gods are a group of gods that the origins based on the Indian, Chinese, and native Japanese gods of wealth. One of the seven Gods of Fortune, Hotei has roots based on Buddhism. Hotei is usually depicted as a fat, cheerful, bald monk. The patron saint of children represents a happy personality that maintains its joy despite adverse conditions. In a poem he wrote, he indicated of his own was the incarnation of Maitreya Buddha. These narratives reached Japan from China and Hotei became one of the Seven Gods of Fortune. There was believed that he would come with the treasure ship and distribute gifts to the children from the bag he carried on his back. The second part focuses on Maitreyas ship. Buddhism entered Japan through Korea and was the first foreign religion to come to Japan. Buddhism, which received the support of the emperor in a short time, was accepted as one of the religions of the kingdom and was raised to the level of state religion. The key figure, Prince Shotoku 574-622, that played role in its spread among the people, was a king regency. Since the reign of Prince Shotokus passed in peace and tranquility, the peace that will be experienced in the Age of Maitreya has been identified with peace and prosperity. The faith that Prince Shotoku is also the incarnation of Maitreya has spread among the people. It is believed that Maitreyas ship will be full of rice and will come across the sea off the coast of Kashima, in southern Japan. There is thought that this faith spread among the Japanese people from the 14th century. In some regions, there are poems written and dances performed for Maitreyas ship for coming. The lyrics of these songs largely are understood that directed to be a kind of prayer for Maitreyas ship to come and bring the age of abundance. Along with these songs, people dance and pray that the sown rice seed will give a bountiful harvest and be fruitful. Songs and dances by the arrival of Maitreyas ship are still continued at festivals in parts of Japan today.

 The sea has been one of the most influential elements in the faith life of the Japanese during history. However, it has not been dwelled on much either by Japanese folklorists or in formal discourse. Therefore, the influence of the sea on Japanese folk faiths has not been understood until the modern period. In this study, the effect of the sea on Japanese folk faiths has been attempted to be revealed with the example of Maitreyas ship. Buddhism and Maitreya Buddha faith, which came to Japan from outside, first encountered the elements that the Japanese believed and worshipped before and gained a different meaning and interpretation with the influence of them. This study focuses on how Maitreya, the savior of Buddhism and the future Buddha, acquired a color as a result of encountering and merging with Japanese folk faiths. In the first part, some sea based Japanese folk faiths were examined. Especially tokoyo and takarabune, which influenced the faith of Maitreya Buddha, were dwelled on. Tokoyo is an afterlife that the Japanese describe as timeless and eternal and spatially beyond the sea. It was believed that tokoyo was the place where the souls of people migrated and continued to live who died with Kamies. In addition, some products which came to Japan were thought that the first source of an origin. Although tokoyo is thought to be a kind of heavenly depiction, that is hard to say what the narratives about tokoyo present a complete depiction of paradise. The ship believed to have come from tokoyo has been named takarabune. This ship was believed to be led by the Seven Gods of Fortune called Shichi Fukujin. The Seven Fortune Gods are a group of gods that the origins based on the Indian, Chinese, and native Japanese gods of wealth. One of the seven Gods of Fortune, Hotei has roots based on Buddhism. Hotei is usually depicted as a fat, cheerful, bald monk. The patron saint of children represents a happy personality that maintains its joy despite adverse conditions. In a poem he wrote, he indicated of his own was the incarnation of Maitreya Buddha. These narratives reached Japan from China and Hotei became one of the Seven Gods of Fortune. There was believed that he would come with the treasure ship and distribute gifts to the children from the bag he carried on his back. The second part focuses on Maitreyas ship. Buddhism entered Japan through Korea and was the first foreign religion to come to Japan. Buddhism, which received the support of the emperor in a short time, was accepted as one of the religions of the kingdom and was raised to the level of state religion. The key figure, Prince Shotoku 574-622, that played role in its spread among the people, was a king regency. Since the reign of Prince Shotokus passed in peace and tranquility, the peace that will be experienced in the Age of Maitreya has been identified with peace and prosperity. The faith that Prince Shotoku is also the incarnation of Maitreya has spread among the people. It is believed that Maitreyas ship will be full of rice and will come across the sea off the coast of Kashima, in southern Japan. There is thought that this faith spread among the Japanese people from the 14th century. In some regions, there are poems written and dances performed for Maitreyas ship for coming. The lyrics of these songs largely are understood that directed to be a kind of prayer for Maitreyas ship to come and bring the age of abundance. Along with these songs, people dance and pray that the sown rice seed will give a bountiful harvest and be fruitful. Songs and dances by the arrival of Maitreyas ship are still continued at festivals in parts of Japan today.

 The sea has been one of the most influential elements in the faith life of the Japanese during history. However, it has not been dwelled on much either by Japanese folklorists or in formal discourse. Therefore, the influence of the sea on Japanese folk faiths has not been understood until the modern period. In this study, the effect of the sea on Japanese folk faiths has been attempted to be revealed with the example of Maitreyas ship. Buddhism and Maitreya Buddha faith, which came to Japan from outside, first encountered the elements that the Japanese believed and worshipped before and gained a different meaning and interpretation with the influence of them. This study focuses on how Maitreya, the savior of Buddhism and the future Buddha, acquired a color as a result of encountering and merging with Japanese folk faiths. In the first part, some sea based Japanese folk faiths were examined. Especially tokoyo and takarabune, which influenced the faith of Maitreya Buddha, were dwelled on. Tokoyo is an afterlife that the Japanese describe as timeless and eternal and spatially beyond the sea. It was believed that tokoyo was the place where the souls of people migrated and continued to live who died with Kamies. In addition, some products which came to Japan were thought that the first source of an origin. Although tokoyo is thought to be a kind of heavenly depiction, that is hard to say what the narratives about tokoyo present a complete depiction of paradise. The ship believed to have come from tokoyo has been named takarabune. This ship was believed to be led by the Seven Gods of Fortune called Shichi Fukujin. The Seven Fortune Gods are a group of gods that the origins based on the Indian, Chinese, and native Japanese gods of wealth. One of the seven Gods of Fortune, Hotei has roots based on Buddhism. Hotei is usually depicted as a fat, cheerful, bald monk. The patron saint of children represents a happy personality that maintains its joy despite adverse conditions. In a poem he wrote, he indicated of his own was the incarnation of Maitreya Buddha. These narratives reached Japan from China and Hotei became one of the Seven Gods of Fortune. There was believed that he would come with the treasure ship and distribute gifts to the children from the bag he carried on his back. The second part focuses on Maitreyas ship. Buddhism entered Japan through Korea and was the first foreign religion to come to Japan. Buddhism, which received the support of the emperor in a short time, was accepted as one of the religions of the kingdom and was raised to the level of state religion. The key figure, Prince Shotoku 574-622, that played role in its spread among the people, was a king regency. Since the reign of Prince Shotokus passed in peace and tranquility, the peace that will be experienced in the Age of Maitreya has been identified with peace and prosperity. The faith that Prince Shotoku is also the incarnation of Maitreya has spread among the people. It is believed that Maitreyas ship will be full of rice and will come across the sea off the coast of Kashima, in southern Japan. There is thought that this faith spread among the Japanese people from the 14th century. In some regions, there are poems written and dances performed for Maitreyas ship for coming. The lyrics of these songs largely are understood that directed to be a kind of prayer for Maitreyas ship to come and bring the age of abundance. Along with these songs, people dance and pray that the sown rice seed will give a bountiful harvest and be fruitful. Songs and dances by the arrival of Maitreyas ship are still continued at festivals in parts of Japan today.

 Deniz, Japonların inanç hayatında tarih boyunca varlık gösteren en etkili unsurlardan biri olmuştur. Fakat gerek Japon halk bilimcileri tarafından gerekse resmî söylemde fazla üzerinde durulmamıştır. Dolayısıyla Japon halk inançları üzerinde denizin etkisi modern döneme kadar anlaşılamamıştır. Bu çalışmada denizin Japon halk inançları üzerindeki etkisi Maitreyanın gemisi örneğinden hareketle ortaya konulmaya çalışılmıştır. Japonyaya dışarıdan gelen Budizm ve Maitreya Buda inancı öncelikle Japonların daha önce inandıkları ve ibadet ettikleri unsurlarla karşılaşmış, onların da etkisiyle farklı bir anlam ve yorum kazanmıştır. Bu çalışmada Budizmin kurtarıcısı, geleceğin Budası olan Maitreyanın Japon halk inançlarıyla karşılaşması ve kaynaşması sonucunda nasıl bir renge büründüğü ele alınmıştır. Birinci kısımda deniz temelli bazı Japon halk inançları incelenmiştir. Özellikle Maitreya Buda inancını etkileyen tokoyo ve takarabune üzerinde durulmuştur. Tokoyo Japonların zamansal olarak ebedî, mekânsal olarak ise denizin ötesi olarak tasvir ettikleri bir öte dünyadır. Tokoyonun Kamiler ile ölen insanların ruhlarının göç ettikleri ve yaşamaya devam ettikleri yer olduğuna inanılmıştır. Ayrıca bazı ürünlerin Japonyaya geldiği ilk kaynak yeri olduğu düşünülmüştür. Tokoyonun bir tür cennet tasviri olduğu düşünülse de tokoyoyla ilgili anlatıların tam bir cennet tasviri sunduğunu söylemek güçtür. Tokoyodan geldiğine inanılan gemiye ise takarabune denilmiştir. Bu geminin Shichi Fukujin adı verilen Yedi Şans Tanrısı tarafından yönetildiğine inanılmıştır. Yedi Şans Tanrısı, kökenleri Hint, Çin ve yerli Japon servet tanrılarına dayanan bir grup tanrıdır. Yedi Şans Tanrısından biri olan Hoteinin kökleri Budizme dayanmaktadır. Hotei, genellikle şişman, neşeli ve kel bir keşiş olarak tasvir edilmektedir. Çocukların koruyucu azizi, olumsuz koşullara rağmen neşesini koruyan, mutlu bir kişiliği temsil etmektedir. Ona ait olduğuna inanılan bir şiirde kendisinin Maitreya Budanın enkarnasyonu olduğunu dile getirmiştir. Bu anlatılar Çinden Japonyaya ulaşmış ve Hotei, Yedi Şans Tanrısından biri haline gelmiştir. Hazine gemisiyle geleceğine, sırtında taşıdığı çantadan çocuklara hediyeler dağıtacağına inanılmıştır. İkinci kısımda Maitreyanın gemisi üzerinde durulmuştur. Budizm Kore üzerinden Japonyaya girmiş ve Japonyaya gelen ilk yabancı din olmuştur. Kısa sürede imparatorun desteğini alan Budizm krallığın dinlerinden biri olarak kabul edilmiş ve devlet dini seviyesine yükseltilmiştir. Halk arasında yayılmasında rol oynayan anahtar figür ise kral naipliği yapan Prens Shotoku 574-622 olmuştur. Prens Shotokunun yönetimde yer aldığı dönem barış ve huzur içinde geçtiği için Maitreya Çağında yaşanacak olan barış, huzur ve refahla özdeşleştirilmiştir. Prens Shotokunun da Maitreyanın enkarnasyonu olduğu inancı halk arasında yayılmıştır. Maitreyanın gemisinin pirinçle dolu olacağına ve denizin ötesinden Japonyanın güneyinde bulunan Kashima açıklarına geleceğine inanılmaktadır. Bu inancın 14. yüzyıldan itibaren Japon halkı arasında yayıldığı düşünülmektedir. Bazı bölgelerde Maitreyanın gemisinin gelmesi için yazılan şiirler ve yapılan danslar bulunmaktadır. Bu şarkıların sözlerinin büyük ölçüde Maitreyanın gemisinin gelmesine ve bolluk çağını getirmesine yönelik bir tür dua oldukları anlaşılmaktadır. Bu şarkılarla birlikte insanlar dans edip ekilen pirinç tohumunun bol hasat vermesi ve bereketli olması için dua etmektedirler. Maitreyanın gemisinin gelmesiyle ilgili şarkılar ve danslar günümüzde Japonyanın bazı bölgelerinde festivallerde hala devam ettirilmektedir.

Makale detayları

The Effect of The Sea on Japanese Folk Beliefs: The Example of Maitreya’s Ship

Yazarlar:

Mevlüde Köroğlu Yetkin

Yayıncı:

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University

Ana Başlıklar:

Doğu Dinleri ve Gelenekleri Araştırmaları

Dergi:

Rize İlahiyat Dergisi Issue 28, pp.217-227

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

4/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001340714

pISSN:

2980-0331

Buddhism

Maitreya Buddha

Tokoyo

Takarabune

JapanBudizm

Maitreya Buda

Tokoyo

Takarabune

Japonya

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Mevlüde Köroğlu Yetkin

Yayıncı: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University

Ana Başlıklar: Doğu Dinleri ve Gelenekleri Araştırmaları

Dergi: Rize İlahiyat Dergisi Issue 28, pp.217-227

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 4/2025

Belge Dili: Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.): 2001340714

pISSN: 2980-0331

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Mevlüde Köroğlu Yetkin

Yayıncı:

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University

Ana Başlıklar:

Doğu Dinleri ve Gelenekleri Araştırmaları

Dergi:

Rize İlahiyat Dergisi Issue 28, pp.217-227

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

4/2025

Belge Dili:

Türkçe

Document ID (Org No.):

2001340714

pISSN:

2980-0331