Marebito

The concept of "marebito" ( or , まれびと) represents a spiritual or divine being that visits from the 'other world' (takai, a term for the Japanese afterlife) at specific times. This belief, rooted in the welcoming of outsiders as gods from another world, has been an important part of Japanese folklore and customs throughout history. Marebito has been observed in various forms, from gods visiting during festivals to wandering ascetics and itinerant performers being treated as divine beings. Comparative studies have been conducted on the "sacred visitor" among the Germanic and Celtic peoples, highlighting the cultural significance and universality of the marebito belief. Marebito is an ancient Japanese word referring to a supernatural being who comes from afar bringing gifts of wisdom, spiritual knowledge and happiness. The word mare means "rare," while -bito (from the word hito) means both "person" and "spirit." The term refers to any one of a number of divine beings who were believed to visit villages in Japan, either from beyond the horizon or from beyond distant mountain ranges, bringing gifts. Villagers usually welcomed a marebito with rituals or festivals. The 20th-century folklorist Shinobu Orikuchi, student of the great Japanese folklore scholar Kunio Yanagita, was the first to bring the ancient concept of marebito to the attention of modern scholars. Marebito one of two key elements of Orikuchi studies, a small academic school of thought in Japan based around the scholar. The other element is yorishiro, and both concepts are highly valued in folklore studies as clues to explore the faith and concepts of the afterlife among the Japanese people. It has been widely assumed that the marebito tradition died out long ago. However, remnants can still be found in some areas of Japan, such as Akita Prefecture, where the Namahage tradition is maintained. An alternative pronunciation is "maroudo". Overview The custom of providing accommodation and meals to visitors (outsiders, marebito) from outside is common globally. While economic reasons play a role, it is said that the "marebito belief," which regards strangers as gods from another world, lies at the root of this custom.