The Inspiration of Subaru as a Symbol of Cultural Value and Tradition in Japan Steven L. Renshaw

1. The Inspiration of Subaru as a Symbol of Cultural Value and Tradition in JapanSteven L. Renshaw

2. Astronomy • No written records prior to 8th Century • Visual positions of Subaru relative to solstices and equinoxes can be discerned. • Parallels with what was probably known in other parts of Asia • Seasonal Significance

3. Solstices, Equinoxes, and Sectional Terms in about 2400 B.C.E. relative to Four Cardinal Asterisms as noted in the Canon of Yao in the Book of Documents (See Sun and Kistemaker, 1997 and Major, 1993)

4. Solstices, Equinoxes, and Sectional Terms in about 600 C.E. relative to the Four Cardinal Asterisms as noted in the Canon of Yao in the Book of Documents (See Sun and Kistemaker, 1997 and Major, 1993)

5. Archaeology • Artifacts of Jomon (12,000 BP – 400 B.C.E.) periods indicate that people were quite aware of seasons and dependent on such knowledge for survival (Imamura, 1996 and Aiken and Higuchi, 1982). • Artifacts indicate strong attention to the feminine and fertility as well as to the implements necessary for utilizing resources of nature that were seasonally available. • Probable oral transmissions of signs and lore

6. Anthropology and Sociology • From Yayoi (400 B.C.E. – 400/375 C.E.) period, many imports and migration behaviors from the Asian continent. • Hunter gatherer societies turn into agricultural societies through unification efforts, primarily devoted to production of rice. • Divergent subcultures throughout the islands not wholly subsumed (Mizoguchi, 2002 and Imamura, 1996)

7. Political Perspectives • Hegemonic and centralizing activities into Kofun (to ~600 C.E.) involve incorporating local lore, legend, and myth (Krupp, 1997; Ooms, 2009; and Brown, 1993a) • Subaru has practical significance in prediction of seasonal change and can be incorporated as a symbol of support for lineal rule. • Place in national myth as jewels (mi sumaru no tama) of Amaterasu (Nojiri, 1973).

8. Intercultural Communication • Importation of astronomical knowledge, practices, reckoning methods, including “moon stations” or sei shuku. • Asterism’s place in “moon stations” enhances meaning and may enhance system adoption. • Subaru and local variants(meaning united, gathered, or congregated) used interchangeably with Chinese Mao (Bou in Japanese meaning hair or stopping place).

9. Psychological Associations • Myths such as that of Amaterasu become repositories for cultural archetypes. • Kawai’s (1975) concept of the balance Amaterasu and Susanowo. It substitutes for a “missing sun” in winter and a “missing moon” on moonless nights. • Subaru may symbolize a balance of seasons, ruler and ruled, a “place of belonging” for the individual citizen and social responsibilities. • Subaru symbolically connected to national “psyche” and cultural values.

10. Lore and Legend • Practical use of asterism in farming, fishing, time keeping, other citizen needs. • Throughout Japan, large number of linguistic variants by region and function. • Strong local associations in daily life (continuous exposure) help to cement national symbolism and meaning.

11. Time and Direction

12. Strategem of Hirado Fishermen from 1654 as Example of Complex Lore (Nojiri, 1973) • The moon should tell us of a favorable tide. However, how can we know it on a pitch-dark night? In these situations, ascertain the entrance and exit of this cluster and judge the tide. It appears at seven and sets at seven. Knowing this will tell you the time. Knowing the time will tell you the tide. Consider this cluster as a guide on moonless nights. This cluster is called Bou Shuku and appears as one of the twenty eight moon mansions. Subaru is a common saying. The number of this cluster is seven. Judge the destiny of the next day on the night before. If the biggest star of this cluster is bright, it portends many good omens on the ground. If that star is dark, it tells of bad luck.

13. Interpretation of Hirado Strategem • It could not be used year round. • Seven is interesting relative to the number of stars seen. A possible interpretation is that Subaru might rise ENE (nanatsu direction) in early evening and set around 4 or 5 AM (nanatsu time). • More moisture in the air could portend rain and make the “biggest” star dimmer, less moisture perhaps clearer weather and a brighter star. • A “pitch dark night” would be near new moon and with combined forces of sun and moon, an indication of spring (high) tides.

14. Positions of Sun, Moon, Earth, and Subaru in Hirado Strategem

15. Interpretation of Hirado Strategem (cont) • As recorded, the stratagem was probably used in autumn, somewhat removed from what could have originally been close to autumnal equinox. • Stratagem had practical use despite its lack of precision. The association incorporates both common (Subaru) and formal (Bou as moon station) significance. • The fact that individuals in society saw these connections may have made it easier to incorporate the asterism as a societal symbol.

16. Possible Propositions Regarding Subaru • Subaru was probably known B.C.E. and early C.E. in Japan as a symbol and marker for seasonal change, especially as related to spring and fall events. Following such celestial “behavior”, societal members could determine times for mobility to find shelter and determine means for acquiring seasonally available food sources for survival. • Subaru may well have played a part in early ritual, though it was not directly represented in specific artifacts. Story telling was probably used to relate its predictive nature relative to seasonal change.

17. Possible Propositions Regarding Subaru (cont) • Subaru became a substitute for the sun in winter and perhaps the moon on moonless nights. It was seen as a predictive sign for the returning sun in spring and the departing sun in fall. It was probably associated with the jewels of the sun goddess Amaterasu, heralding and enticing “her” to return; artifacts through the Kofun period seem to reflect indirect relations with mythological objects (mirrors, jewels, swords). • Existing legend and lore (known and accepted by inhabitants) was probably incorporated into symbols reinforcing political hegemonic aims. The myth of Amaterasu became supportive imagery for power, and the symbolism of Subaru was probably subsumed in that myth, thus laying the groundwork for further symbolic identification by common citizens

18. Possible Propositions Regarding Subaru (cont) • Chinese and Korean sources of astronomical knowledge were adapted in large measure into the mixed culture of Japan during and following the 7th century. Chinese Mao or Bou in Japanese used with Subaru (and variants), further reinforcing prominence of the asterism. • In subsequent eras, Subaru continued to have strong importance as a sign and was used by local inhabitants for numerous pragmatic purposes throughout the islands. Folklore related to its predictability of seasonal events on a local level assured that it would have lasting meaning to the population. Incorporating local diversity, Subaru probably continued to be a convenient symbol of cooperation and social responsibility, and such symbolism appears to have survived well into modern times.

19. Possible Propositions Regarding Subaru (cont) • With its place in mythology and its widespread use in the lives of ordinary people, Subaru could have easily become a projected symbol for the individual’s relation with society and government. The individual citizen is not alone and is fulfilled by his/her participation in social behavior necessary for survival as well as maintenance and balancing of the society and political system. Subaru may have begun to function as a symbolic reminder of roles and obligations, and in this sense a symbol of what are still perceived to be fundamental modern values of the society.

20. With its nightly appearance in autumn through winter and early spring, its familiarity and practical use in so many activities, its associations with national mythology, its place in infused Chinese cosmology and religion, it was perhaps an easy “object” on which to associate cultural values including “vitality” and “optimism” in its signaling of life in spring and the prospect for a brighter future, and “lineality” in its symbolism of filial duty, balance of power, and social responsibility.