PROCESSES OF FAITH FORMATION IN SEA-CAVE SACRED SPACES

This study analyzes 37 sea-cave sacred spaces in Japan, integrating structural types of faith narratives with surrounding geographical conditions. Faith narratives are reorganized into five types based on similarities in narrative structure, and their tendencies and regional variations are examined to clarify how sacredness has been attributed to sea caves. Six kinds of geographical data are then compiled for each site. By comparing narrative types with geographical indicators, the study explores why particular sea caves were selected as sacred sites and what spatial factors have supported the establishment and persistence of faith.