About this video
- Video Title: 神仏習合の謎を解く ② (Unraveling the Mystery of Syncretism of Deities and Buddhas ②)
- Channel: gozirin
- Speakers: None explicitly named, but the transcript suggests a single narrator.
- Duration: 00:10:59
Overview
This video discusses the historical syncretism of Shinto deities and Buddhist figures in Japan, focusing on specific historical documents. It analyzes the "Jōgu Shōtoku Hōō Teisetsu" and the "Ganjin-ji Gohyōgi," comparing their accounts of the introduction of Buddhism and the subsequent conflicts with records in the Nihon Shoki. The video highlights discrepancies in dates and narrative details, suggesting different historical perspectives and potential revisions in the Nihon Shoki.
Key takeaways
- Jōgu Shōtoku Hōō Teisetsu Analysis: This document, compiled from various records related to Prince Shōtoku, is divided into five parts. Its first and second parts are believed to have been established during the Nara period, with additions made in the Heian period. The section concerning the introduction of Buddhism is found in the third part.
- Buddhist Introduction Account: The "Jōgu Shōtoku Hōō Teisetsu" records that in the year of "Bokyo" (a specific year in the sexagenary cycle), King Seong of Baekje presented Buddha images and Buddhist scriptures to Emperor Kinmei. This account aligns with the Nihon Shoki but differs in the date, placing it in 538 CE instead of the Nihon Shoki's 5502 CE.
- Dating Discrepancies: The video points out that while the Nihon Shoki states the introduction of Buddhism occurred in Emperor Kinmei's 13th year (5502 CE), other historical documents consistently indicate the "Bokyo" year. This discrepancy is attributed to the Nihon Shoki's potential revision to create a linear imperial lineage.
- Ganjin-ji Gohyōgi and Asset Ledger: This document, believed to be from the Nara period (747-749 CE) or later (9th century), also contains an account of the Buddhist introduction. It reportedly uses sources different from the Nihon Shoki and includes unique descriptions.
- Comparison with Nihon Shoki: The "Ganjin-ji Gohyōgi" account of the Buddhist introduction is similar to the Nihon Shoki but differs in phrasing and content. Notably, it omits the names of the anti-Buddhist Mononobe and Nakatomi clans, referring to them anonymously. It also suggests that both Emperor Kinmei and Soga no Iname reluctantly followed the opinion of the anti-Buddhist faction.