벳푸 하마와키 야쿠시마쓰리(別府浜脇?師祭り)에 나타나는 약사여래신앙

This thesis examines the impact of Yakushi Nyorai belief through Yakushi Matsuri that has come down to Beppu, a hot spring town well-know for its water. The core of this study is to clarify significance and meanings of Yakushi Nyorai belief in Beppu and how does Yakushi Matsuri serve as a medium for understanding Japanese hot spring culture. I mainly use an actual fieldwork as a key research strategy and data have been collected from Matsuri ceremony, interviews, local reports and archives. The fieldwork was carried out form Auguest 24, 2011 to August 29, 2011 in Beppu, Oita. On 24th, I visited Hamawaki community center in Beppu to collect information on Hamawaki matsuri via interviewing the authorities and local reports. On 25th, had a meeting with officials in Beppu City Hall and visited the city library for further information gathering. Attended Hamawaki matsuri from 26th to 28th and interviewed Doi Takeshi, a member of Hamawaki town council and participating citizens during the festival. This thesis points out a significant relation between Yakushi Nyorai and hot springs in Japan. In Japan, hot springs have long been considered to have sanative power which cures illness and thus, Japan has developed its own unique legends involving hot springs with Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Healing and Medicine. Today, this collection of folk beliefs and Yakushi Nyorai are celebrated as a form of Yakushi Matsuri.