Changing of signification of “Daijosai” in Japanese history

Abstract

Daijōsai（大嘗祭）is a ritual of the Yamato court held once every reign after the enthronement. The researcher was interested in the changes of the Daijōsai through history in terms of the ritual’s composition, and its meanings in relation to the deities and government. This historical research was conducted from secondary sources and the data was analysed using the conceptual framework of shamanism, which incorporates the divine-right theory, and ritual change in relation to government. It is found that the changes in the Daijōsai’s composition occurred in terms of the name, women’s roles, sophistication, secrecy, Buddhist ceremony, the offerings, the Daijōkyū complex, and the Yuki and Suki halls. Such compositional changes contributed to the transformation from an ancient ritual to show gratitude to the deities into a ritual with political purpose in the Asuka and Meiji periods. Nowadays, the original meaning of the Daijōsai has been restored as a ritual showing gratitude to the deities.