Yamabushi

In this article we are going to talk about Yamabushi and its impact on our society. Yamabushi is a topic that has gained great relevance in recent years, awakening the interest of both experts and the general public. Its influence covers different aspects of our daily lives, from the economy to culture, including politics and technology. Yamabushi is a topic that does not leave anyone indifferent and that continues to generate debate and reflection in all areas. In this article we will explore the various facets of Yamabushi and analyze its importance in our current society.

Yamabushi (山伏, one who prostrates himself on the mountain) are Japanese mountain ascetic hermits. They are generally part of the syncretic shugendō religion, which includes Tantric Buddhist, Shinto, and Japanese Taoist elements.

Their origins can be traced back to the solitary Yama-bito and some hijiri (聖) (saints or holy persons) of the eighth and ninth centuries.

According to American writer Frederik L. Schodt:

These positively medieval-looking nature worshipers carry metal staves and conch shells and wear straw sandals and sometimes a hemp cloth over-robe with the Heart Sutra written on it. They follow a mixture of esoteric or tantric Buddhism mixed with Shinto, the native animistic religion of Japan.

Clothing and items

Appearance of Yamabushi. They wear yuigesa, kyahan, and tokin. They hold a shakujō in their hands, and they blow the horagai to prevent evil spirits.

Yamabushi usually wear and bring the following clothes and items with them:

  • Yuigesa (結袈裟), a harness or sash adorned with pom-poms
  • Kyahan (脚絆), sandals made from straw
  • Tokin (頭巾) which is a small hat-like adornment worn at the front of the head
  • Shakujō (錫杖), a metal rod, held in their hands
  • Oi (笈), backpack
  • Horagai (法螺貝), a conch shell, which they blow like a horn to bind evil spirits

See also

Further reading

  • Ratti, Oscar; Westbrook, Adele (1999). Secrets of the Samurai: A Survey of the Martial Arts of Feudal Japan. Edison, New Jersey: Castle Books. ISBN 0785810730.
  • Powell, Steve John; Cabello, Angeles Marin (May 12, 2021). "Japan's Mountain Ascetic Hermits". British Broadcasting Corporation.

References

  1. ^ Nelson, Andrew Nathaniel (1995). The Original Modern Reader's Japanese-English Character Dictionary (Classic ed.). Rutland, Vermont: C. E. Tuttle Co. pp. 134, 346. ISBN 9780804819657.
  2. ^ "Exoteric Buddhism, Esoteric Buddhism, and Shugendo - 顕教・密教・修験道". www.tendai-jimon.jp. Tendaijimon Sect. Archived from the original on 2020-12-21. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  3. ^ Blacker, Carmen (1999). The Catalpa Bow: A Study of Shamanistic Practices in Japan (3rd ed.). Richmond, Virginia: Japan Library. pp. 165–167. ISBN 1873410859.
  4. ^ Schodt, Frederik L. (2020). My Heart Sutra. Berkeley (Ca): Stone Bridge Press. ISBN 978-1-61172-062-4.
  5. ^ 小項目事典,世界大百科事典内言及, 日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ),百科事典マイペディア,旺文社日本史事典 三訂版,デジタル大辞泉,事典・日本の観光資源,世界大百科事典 第２版,ブリタニカ国際大百科事典. "山伏(やまぶし)とは？ 意味や使い方". コトバンク (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-06-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Cabello, Steve John Powell & Angeles Marin. "Japan's mountain ascetic hermits". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2023-06-02.
  7. ^ Yamabushi Ascetic Monk, retrieved 2023-06-02
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