On Gods of Mazu Hall (Maso-do) in Nagasaki Tou Temples (Tou-dera) Spread of Popular Religion in the Coastal Area of East Asia

摘要

The Mazu Hall (Maso-do) in Tou Temples (Tou-dera) in Nagasaki has hitherto been thought to be a reflection of the religion of Southern China. However, it is considered that the regional religions were reflected in these temples when they are built: Mindongfaction in Soufuku-ji Temple, Minnan-faction in Fukusai-ji Temple, and Jiangnan-faction in Koufukuji-Temple. It can be speculated by the fact that Gotei-do once existed in Soufuku-ji Temple and it is considered that it honored the God of Plague Expulsion (Wufu Dadi) in Fuzhou.