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Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6” x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. ProQuest Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 UMÏ KAIMYO (JAPANESE BUDDHIST POSTHUMOUS NAMES) AS INDICATORS OF SOCIAL STATUS DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Erica Diehlmann Swarts, M.A. The Ohio State University 2001 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Richard H. Moore, Adviser Chung-min Chen t'T-tr /oiTl*- Adviser Thomas Kasulis Department of Anthropology UMI Number. 3022582 Copyright 2001 by Swarts, Erica Diehlmann All rights reserved. UMI’ UMI Microform 3022582 Copyright 2001 by Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company. All rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. Bell & Howell Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Copyright by Erica Diehlmann Swarts 2001 ABSTRACT This work focuses on the relationship Isetween religion and social status in a mral town in the Tohoku region of northern Japan. I explore this conflict between egalitarian religious ideology and hierarchical social reality through kaimyo, posthumous Buddhist names. My question is, are kaimyo indicators of social status? Most Japanese assert they have no religion, but the vast majority are buried and memorialized through Buddhist rites. Kaimyo are a standard and accepted part of these Buddhist rites, written for the deceased by a local priest In exchange for a donation. The donation however, is a matter of dispute. Priests claim that kaimyo are free, lay people argue that they are not. The priest chooses the different characters and endings that comprise kaimyo after he receives the femily's donation. Trends suggest that people are paying larger sums to receive more prestigious characters and higher status endings. In feet, a number of Japanese told me that kaimyo have become status symbols. The historical interaction between Buddhism and the social structure suggests that this is likely. The beliefe o f the laity in Nakada, as documented through surveys and interviews, are weighed against evidence fbund in three local cemeteries. The three cemeteries represent different status groups within the township. I hypothesize that higher concentrations of honorific characters and high status kaimyo endings will be fbund in wealthy areas or those historically associated with the elite. Conversely, in poorer outcaste locales, rates of honorific characters and high status endings should be substantially lower. Additionally, in outcaste areas, derogatory or discriminatory characters may appear in the kaimyo. Ill To Craig, With Love IV ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are many people who helped make this dissertation possible. Thanks go to my committee and adviser, Dr. Richard Moore; and also to Dr. Robert Reed for his assistance. I sincerely want to thank my friend HIroakI Kawamura, who was always willing to help, no matter whether It was double checking when my translations did not appear to make sense, or calling Japan {ahgato, HIro). Thanks also to Linda Ross for being there throughout the whole process. To the people of Nakada, I owe a debt of gratitude for allowing me to work with them. A special thanks must go to the Mlura and Yanagawa families for not only housing me, but also for their ceaseless efforts on my behalf. Much of this study would not have taken place without their amazing ability to network, and their willingness to take me to Important temples and historic places. And last, but definitely not least, I wish to thank my father and my husband Craig. To Dad, thanks for not only always being there, but also for coming to my rescue when It became necessary for me to make one more data- gathering trip to Japan, and for always helping with the little things. And Craig, I am grateful for your patience, sacrifices, and shoulder to lean on. Without your help, this never, ever would have been possible. VTTA 1989 ...................................... B.A., International Studies, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 1989-1991 ............................ Purchasing Staff, Tomasco Mulcit)er Inc., Columbus, Ohio 1992-1996 .............................. Wbrkshop leader and program demonstrator, Ohio's Center of Science and Industry (COSI), Columbus, Ohio 1993 ...................................... M.A., Anthropology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1994-2000 ............................ Graduate Teaching Associate, Department of Anthropology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1994-2000 .............................. Private English and American culture tutor for Japanese students, Columbus, Ohio FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Anthropology VI TABLE OF CONTENTS Page A bstract................................................................................................... ii Dedication .................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgements ..................................................................................... v Vita ............................................................................................................ vi List o f Figures............................................................................................ xi List of Tables............................................................................................ xiv Chapters: 1. Introduction ........................................................................................1 Religion and Status: Archaeological Evidence ............................. 3 The Research Question ............................................................... 4 Chapter O utline ...........................................................................6 2. Theoretical Considerations .................................................................. 8 A Rationale for This Study ............................................................ 8 Important Concepts: Status. Structure, and Stratification ............. 8 What is Status? ................................................................9 Structure......................................................................... 11 Stratification ................................................................... 12 Theoretical Considerations o f Kaimyo......................................... 14 Representation/Reproduction of the Social Order .............. 14 Marking Social Boundaries: High Status. Low Status. and Outcastes .................. 18 As Economic Goods ........................................................ 20 As Cultural Capital.......................................................... 21 VII 3. Methodology ..................................................................................... 25 Fieldwork .................................................................................. 25 Site Selection..................................................................25 The Township ................................................................. 26 H istory............................................................................ 27 The D a ta ..................................................................................28 The Three Sites and Collection Methods ...........................28 Surveys and Interviews .................................................... 30 Methods of Analysis ....................................................... 32 Data A nalysis ............................................................................ 33 Technical Issues ....................................................................... 35 Translation ..................................................................... 35 N am es ........................................................................... 38 Privacy Concerns ........................................................... 38 4. Kaimyo...............................................................................................38 Kaimyo and Social Status: Is There a Relationship? ................... 38 What Are Kewnyo? ................................................................... 40 H is to ry ....................................................................................