Yukitada Watarai

He was a shrine official at Toyouke Daijingu (the Outer Shrine of Ise Jingu) in the late Kamakura period, and a leading scholar of Watarai Shinto. He was born in the second year of the Katei era as the son of Gon-negi Yukitsugu. He was appointed as a negi at the age of 16, and in 1304 (Kagen 2) he was promoted to first negi and given the title of Nishigawara Chief. He served as a negi for 53 years, and passed away on December 27th of the leap year of the following year (Kagen 3) at the age of 70. He is thought to have written the main writings on Watarai Shinto, such as the "Shinto Five Books," based on the secret rituals and historical facts transmitted by the shrine. He also worked to develop and advocate the Shinto ideology, which was later perfected by Watarai Ieyuki and came to be known as Watarai Shinto (Ise Shinto). He also played a leading role in the debate with the Naiku (Kotai Jingu) side in 1296 (Einin 4). His works include the one-volume "Ise Nisho Tai Jingu Shinmei Hisho." This work was completed at the end of 1285 (Kōan 8), and is a valuable document on the shrine, outlining the divine lineage and history of the deities enshrined in the two main shrines and other shrines in Ise. The preface states, "Japan is the descendant of the gods," and emphasizes the eternity of Japan in terms of the divine country, sacred treasures, and divine decrees. Additionally, the first volume of the "Korokujitsuden," compiled around 1300 (Shoan 2), is rich in traditional content relating to the affairs of the shrine, including the will of Shinmei, the rules for the two shrines, and guidelines for working in the Imperial Court.

[Masayuki Nakanishi, October 19, 2017]

"Islands Administration Office, Watarai Shinto Taisei, Part 1" (1957, Islands Administration Office, Reproduction, 2008, Yoshikawa Kobunkan)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

鎌倉後期の豊受(とようけ)大神宮（伊勢(いせ)神宮外宮(げくう)）の祠官(しかん)、度会神道(しんとう)の代表的な学者。権禰宜(ごんねぎ)行継(ゆきつぐ)の子として嘉禎(かてい)2年に出生。16歳で禰宜に補せられ、1304年（嘉元2）に一禰宜(いちのねぎ)に進み、西河原(にしがわら)長官と称せられた。禰宜在任53年間にわたり、翌嘉元3年閏(うるう)12月27日、70歳で没した。神宮相伝の秘儀や故実(こじつ)を基にして、おそらく『神道五部書』など度会神道の主要著述を手がけたとみられる。さらにその神道思想の形成と唱道に努め、その思想はのちに度会家行(いえゆき)によって大成され、度会神道（伊勢神道）と称されるに至った。また1296年（永仁4）、内宮(ないくう)（皇太神宮）側との皇字沙汰(こうのじさた)において、その論争の指導的な役割を果たした。著作には、まず『伊勢二所(にしょ)太神宮神名秘書』1巻があげられる。同著は1285年（弘安8）末に成り、伊勢の両正宮はじめ諸宮社に祀(まつ)る祭神の神系や由緒(ゆいしょ)を概説した、神宮の貴重な文献である。序文に「夫(そ)れ日本は神胤(しんいん)なり」とあり、神国、神器、神勅をめぐる日本の永遠性を力説している。また1300年（正安2）ごろに勘録した『古老口実伝(ころうくじつでん)』1巻は、神明の遺勅や両宮の規範、宮中勤務心得など、神宮の諸事に関する伝承性豊かな内容である。

［中西正幸　2017年10月19日］

『神宮司庁編『度会神道大成　前篇』（1957・神宮司庁／複製・2008・吉川弘文館）』

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