Includes bibliographical references (leaves 146-154).
摘要
The aim of the thesis is to analyse representations of family relationships in prose fiction in the Heian period (794-1185), focusing in particular on Sarashine nikki and The Tale of Hamamatsu (Hamamatsu Chu?nagon monogatari). Both narratives are assumed to be written by a middle ranking aristocratic woman, Sugawara Takasue's Daughter. A feature shaping these prose works is the importance given to depicting family connections. Moreover, one of the significant aspects of the family relationships depicted in these texts is their profound association with Buddhist ideas and practices. Since its introduction to Japan, Buddhism permeated all aspects of life as well as literary and artistic forms such that religion and literature in the Heian period cannot be easily separated. This thesis sheds light on the particular ways in which family relationships in these two medieval works were shaped by Buddhism. The thesis starts by surveying some characteristics of Heian Buddhism in order to provide the necessary background to understanding family relationships in medieval texts. This chapter is followed by examinations of the representations of Heian aristocratic families depicted in Sarashina nikki and The Tale of Hamamatsu. By analysing the use of some key terms of Heian writing such as mi o kau (transmigration), sukuse (karma) and katami (a memento), this study demonstrates that there is a strong link between Heian Buddhism and the representation of family connections in Sarashina nikki and The Tale of Hamamatsu. The thesis examines the Buddhist roots of these terms and argues that even when they are used in a secular context, they continue to be imbued with deep Buddhist overtones. By juxtaposing Sarashina nikki and The Tale of Hamamatsu with The Tale of Genji, the thesis shows how Takasue's Daughter, through her use of Buddhist ideas, skilfully manipulates many of the tropes found in Murasaki Shikibu's work to create texts marked by a profoundly religious character.
