Religious-political Reforms of Emperor Mimaki. Part 1: The Cult of Mount Miwa and the Change of the Supreme Priestess and Ruler with a Male Supreme Ruler and Priest

Abstract

The present research featured a comparative analysis of 1) Japanese sources dating the early Yamato period about the religious and political transformations that happened under Emperor Mimaki, also known under the posthumous honourable name of Sūjin (324–331 CE) and 2) archaeological data on the solar cult of the Miwa dynasty. The reforms followed the period of disintegration and disasters known as "the period of eight rulers" and the reunion of the Yamato state under Emperor Mimaki. Archaeological evidence shows that various solar cults existed as early as the turn of the III–IV centuries. The ruler was supposed to manage agricultural works, which required knowledge of the solar year cycle and astronomical observations. In that period, Japan probably relied on Chinese calendar system. Emperor Jimmu’s clan saw solar deity Takami-musubi as their patron, with a shamanic priestess as the head of the cult. In addition, the local political leaders of the Yamato region also exercised various forms of solar cults associated with the sacred Mount Miwa, which is surrounded with six ancient mounds dated the early Yamato period and belonging to Emperor Sūjin and his relatives. The supreme priestesses of Yamato were replaced by male rulers during the reign of Mimaki in the late III – early IV centuries. The ruler assumed the priory functions and conducted religious rites celebrating the divine patron of his state.