The Myth of Amanohashidate : A Study of the Mythological Motifs of Topographical Features of the Earth in an Ancient Japanese Gazetteer of Tango Province of the Japanese Literature in Yamato - Nara Period

Abstract

This paper aims to study the outstanding mythological motifs of topographical features of the earth in the myth of Amanohashidate（天橋立の伝説）in an ancient Japanese gazetteer of Tango province（丹後国風土記）which is one of the Japanese Literature in Yamato - Nara Period. The results revealed the following; 1) the actors in the myth such as gods and goddesses; 2) the certain items in the background of the action such as the Heavenly floating bridge; 3) the place sole, there was incident and this incident comprise the great majority of motif. The study also dealed with the correlation between myth and Japanese literature in Yamato - Nara period; Kojiki（古事記）and Nihon Shoki（日本書紀）and Heian period; Hyakunin Isshu（百人一首), Shinto; Japanese polytheism, the creation of the world, supernatural powers and cultural society. It showed that the myth could stimulate the listener’s emotion and imagination.