Permalink :  http://hdl.handle.net/2115/72309

JaLCDOI :  10.14943/b.edu.133.23

KEYWORDS : 歌垣; 男女関係; 民俗; 中日比較; Utagaki; sexual relationships; folk custom; comparison between China and Japan

The practice of Utagaki , or a ritual peasant gathering, sometimes strongly associated with free sex activity, has attracted much academic attention and inspired such modern social interpretations as ‘liberation from restraint'. The Utagaki has been basically considered as a festive ritual, an integral part of the centuries-old traditional festive act of praying to gods and spirits for a good harvest. However, the Utagaki happened not only at the time of festive rituals but also in daily life. The confusion between ritual and Utagaki is one cause of the misunderstanding of liberation from restraint'. Furthermore, it is only natural that the same practice exists in other parts of Asia, especially in China. A comparative study of Utagaki practices in both countries would show Japanese Utagaki in a new perspective.

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