Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 3.3
Record of prayer for rain in Toyosato district, 1931-1932
Day
of visit
Day of
returning
Year
Region
Name of community
Money
Visitors
Unit: Yen, Persons
1931
August 7
Kamigo
Kamishuku
100
-
August 13
August 9
Tohigashi
Tohigashi
150
5
August 9
August 9
Tegomaru
Tegomaru
150
2
August 17
August 10
Kamigo
Kanamura
50
4
August 11
August 11
Koya
Koya
150
2
August 12
August 11
Sakemaru
Sakemaru
150
1
September 18
August 11
Kamigo
Oshuku
100
-
August 17
August 11
Kamigo
Kakunai
100
2
August 12
1932
July 16
Kamigo
Osyuku, Kamisyuku, Yoko-machi
500
2
July 22
July 21
Kamigo
Hon-kanamura
150
6
July 27
July 23
Kamigo
Kakunai
150
3
July 28
July 23
Imakashima
Gotomaki
150
8
July 28
July 24
Koya
Koya
150
-
July 28
July 24
Kamigo
Oyama
100
-
July 24
July 24
Imakashima
Imakashima
150
2
July 26
July 25
Kamigo
Kamiyamori
150
3
July 27
July 25
Hakke
Hakke
150
2
July 29
July 26
Imakashima
Ikehata
150
5
July 27
July 26
Imakashima
Kaihata
150
1
July 27
July 26
Imakashima
Inarimae
150
2
July 28
July 26
Kamigo
Gonjo, Gonge, Nishihara, Daishuku
900
1
July 27
-: No data or not clear
Data source
: Kanamura offi ce
People living in Imakashima district were said to have suffered greatly from
the heavy damage wrought by drought. The following ritual for rain was done
to counteract the drought. A washtub full of holy water was put in front of an
open space in the community center. All young men wore loincloths, gathered
around the washtub, and danced while chanting. They beat drums loudly and
prayed for rain while splashing water on each other. In the northern Imakashima
district, all young men, wearing loincloths, assembled in an open space in front
of a temple dedicated to Kannon. A washtub full of holy water was put there.
The young went to Mt. Tsukuba Shrine, adults went to Kanamura, and the old
went to a tutelary shrine to receive holy water. They poured the water into a
washtub and chanted Shinto prayers, accompanied by a musical band. All the
men splashed water on each other, and the ritual was repeated until it rained. I
conclude that before the Second World War, people living in Toyosato district
prayed to
Kanamura
for rain in times of drought. All village residents were
asked to take part in the ritual, implying
Kanamura
was worshipped as the sub-
ject of common prayer.
In 1931, 287 believers lived in Toyosato district, and the core area was in
Kamigo district (Fig.
3.25
). Around 76 % of the prayers (from 218 persons)
were for the safety of soldiers and 20 % (58 persons) for family safety.
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