<論説>前漢武帝の巡幸 : 祭祀と皇帝権力の視点から

Abstract

本稿では、前漢武帝の巡幸の構造について祭祀を視角として分析し、そこに表現される皇帝権力を考察した。武帝の巡幸地域は「東」(東方地域) と「西」(関中及び隣接する西北辺郡) とに大別され、祭儀の挙行がそれぞれの中核となっていた。「東」の巡幸は、「物」を集め神々と交感する武帝の「功徳」を集約的に顕示する泰山封禅を中核として、漢王朝による東方地域の支配ないし掌握を顕示する構造をもつ。「西」の巡幸は、三箇所に点在する郊祀の祀場において天下の太平を祈願するとともに軍事的要地を巡ることを主眼とし、匈奴と対峙する軍事的情勢が強く反映されている。武帝は長安の他に、封禅の舞台である泰山と郊祀の三祀場の中でも中心的な雲陽甘泉宮とを新たな拠点とし、それらを巡ることで、「功徳」をもって天下を一元的に支配し匈奴をも圧する「皇帝」像を発信した。

This article is an analysis of the imperial tours by Wu-di of the Western Han dynasty from the point of view of the political significance of worship rites. The places toured by Wu-di can be classified into two regions, i.e. an eastern region and a western one, on the basis of a line linking a series of barrier stations. The Rites of Feng and Shan (封禅) in Taishan (泰山) were the main event of the imperial tours through the eastern region. Wu-di performed worship rites to the gods of the famous mountains and the great rivers on the way to Taishan, during which the gods bestowed on him rare and curious animals in reward for his good government and worship rites. He displayed these animals to his subjects in the Rites of Feng and Shan and demonstrated his ability of commune with the gods. Inspecting military strongholds that confronted the Xiongnu (匈奴) and performing the worship Rites to Heaven and Earth (郊祀) comprised the main activities of imperial tours through the western region. The Yunyang Ganquangong (雲陽甘泉宮) was not only the place where Wu-di performed the worship rites to Heaven, but was also a place of strategic military importance. The purpose of the worship Rites to Heaven and Earth was to pray to the gods for tranquility, rich harvests, and victory over Xiongnu by the Han Empire. Wu-di established Taishan and Yunyang Ganquangong as new bases for rule over the empire besides the traditional capital, Chang'an (長安). He toured these three bases and performed these worship rites and political rituals there until the end of his life in order to demonstrate his power and ability as emperor to rule over the empire.