Journal paper

Issue No.	No. 58
Title	A Textual Study on the Localization of Zhong Kui in Tokugawa Japan
Author	Ng, Wai-ming
Page	201-222
Abstract	Japan is the only nation outside China that has adapted Zhong Kui (Shōki in Japanese) belief into its culture. The Japanese have given such honorific titles to Zhong Kui as Shōki-sama (Mr. Zhong Kui), Shōki-daijin (Minister Zhong Kui) and Shōki daimyōjin (Zhong Kui, the Deity). Zhong Kui belief reached its peak in the Tokugawa period (1603-1868), when it was fully absorbed into Japan’s native religion and culture. The localization of Zhong Kui in Japan started in the medieval period and was basically completed during the Tokugawa period, when the Japanese worshipped, perceived and presented Zhong Kui in their own ways. 　　Zhong Kui belief was localized in Tokugawa Japan in the following ways. First, Zhong Kui was transformed from a Taoist immortal into a Shinto deity, and incorporated into the Japanese Shinto-Buddhist framework. Second, the images of Zhong Kui became more Japanese, influenced as they were by Noh drama, kabuki, ukiyoe and matsuri. Third, Zhong Kui became a part of Japanese culture and his presence can be found in Tokugawa art, literature, theatre, architecture and folk religion. 　　This is the first academic study of Zhong Kui in Tokugawa Japan. Based on Japanese primary sources, this research aims to examine how Zhong Kui was localized to enrich Tokugawa religion, folklore and culture.
Keyword	Zhong Kui belief, Tokugawa Japan, localization, Shinto, Buddhism
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