Shiju Hyakuinnenshu - A collection of myriad causes and effects

A collection of Buddhist tales from the mid-Kamakura period. Nine volumes. Contains 147 tales. Includes a preface and postscript. From this, it is known that it was created in 1257 (Shoka 1) by the then 48-year-old monk Suminori Sumitomo from Hitachi Province (Ibaraki Prefecture) as a book of instruction for the Buddhist teachings. It is divided into three parts: India (volumes 1-4), China (volumes 5 and 6), and Japan (volumes 7-9). The story of the origin of the Buddhist teachings of the Dharma King is placed at the beginning of the book, and the story of Honen's rebirth in the Pure Land is placed at the end of volume 8. The arrangement of the stories shows a concept of the transmission and development of Buddhism to the three countries, with the Pure Land sect at the base. The fact that this book is a book promoting Honen's (Genku) exclusive faith in Nembutsu is also confirmed by the stories of the benefits of chanting the name of Nembutsu that appear throughout the book. Tales of filial piety and Tales of the Ten Kings are also prominent, which is interesting as it suggests a connection between this book and the funeral Buddhism missionary activities that focused on memorial services for the dead. Sources of the tales have been pointed out to include "Nihon Ojo Gokurakuki," "Sanbo Ekotoba," "Hosshinshu," "Chukosen," and "Tenjiku Ojo Genki." The writing style is a unique mix of variant Chinese, preaching texts, and Japanese-Chinese hybrid texts.

[Kinoshita Suichi]

"Research Materials on Japanese Classical Literature 3: Narrative Literature" (1984, Meiji Shoin)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

鎌倉中期の仏教説話集。9巻。147話の説話を収載。序、跋(ばつ)をもつ。これにより、1257年（正嘉1）、当時48歳の常陸(ひたち)国（茨城県）の僧、住信の手により、仏法の唱導書として成立したことが知られる。構成は天竺(てんじく)（巻1～4）、唐土（巻5、6）、和朝（巻7～9）の3部に分けられる。巻頭に仏法王法起源譚(たん)を置き、巻8末に法然往生(ほうねんおうじょう)譚を配すなど、その説話配列には、浄土宗を基軸に据えた仏法の三国伝来、発展史的構想がみてとれる。本書が法然（源空）の専修念仏信仰の宣揚の書であることは、随処にみられる称名念仏利益(りやく)譚からも肯定される。また、孝養譚や十王譚も目につくが、これは追善供養を主とする葬式仏教的布教活動と本書との結び付きを示唆して興味深い。説話の出典としては、『日本往生極楽記』『三宝絵詞(さんぼうえことば)』『発心集(ほっしんしゅう)』『注好選(ちゅうこうせん)』『天竺往生験記』などが指摘されている。表記は変体漢文に宣命(せんみょう)文、和漢混交文が混在し、独特な様相をみせている。

［木下資一］

『『研究資料日本古典文学3　説話文学』（1984・明治書院）』

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