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 author 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.
Appearance of the Yamabushi
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.
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.
