前漢武帝の封禪 : 政治的意義と儀禮の考察

Abstract

This article is an analysis of the Rites of Feng and Shan 封禪 performed by Wudi of the Former Han and an attempt to clarify imperial authority in ancient China through an analysis of the structure and significance of imperial rituals. I first consider the significance and how the symbolism of the Rites of Feng and Shan were viewed among those who were part of the ruling structure during the Former Han dynasty. Performance of the Rites of Feng and Shan was planned on three occasions during the Former Han: in the last stages of the rule of Wendi and immediately after the accession to the throne of his grandson Wudi, and half way through the rule of Wudi. Although plans for the first two events ended in failure, by examining their background, one realizes that the Rites of Feng and Shan were recognized as rites that symbolized the firm establishment of the ruling system of the Former Han dynasty across the generations. In addition, according to contemporary discourse (Sima Qian's 司馬遷 Fengshanshu 封禪書 and Sima Xiangru's 司馬相如 Fengshanwen 封禪文) on planning for the third occasion, the Rites of Feng and Shan had the significance of positioning the Former Han dynasty as the legitimate successor for the Zhou dynasty that had previously unified China and ruled the nation with good government. Next, I consider what sorts of rituals were actually conducted during the Rites of Feng and Shan. The Rites of the Feng and Shan had traditional rites formed by adopting Confucian thought and magical practices 方術 at their core. As an extension of these, the emperor would meet with regional officials and lords in the Mingtang and together perform worship rites to the gods worshipped by the Former Han dynasty. This was an extremely political and innovative ritual that demonstrated that Wudi, who had established a system of rule over the entire territory of the state and opened trade and communications with the states of the Western Region by successfully driving back the Xiongnu, had unified the realm as the greatest ruler in history. The imperial authority of Wudi was confirmed by the regular repetition of the Rites of Feng and Shan that sent a consistent message to the realm until his death. It can be surmised that this manner of demonstrating and the method of expressing imperial authority fashioned by Wudi influenced later emperors as well.