Thoughts on the Gods that Connect Humans and Nature - Kiso Mt. Ontake - Part 1

Mt. Ontake, which is known as a representative mountain of mountain worship, suddenly erupted in September 26 and became the site of the worst volcanic disaster since the end of World War II. Although it is still far from the bustle of the past, the mysterious charm of this mountain has attracted the hearts of many people.

Located on the border of Nagano and Gifu prefectures, KisoMt. Ontakehas been deeply engraved in the mental landscape of many people as a mountain of faith since ancient times. TheMt. Ontakeeruption in Heisei 26 was the worst volcanic disaster since the end of World War II, and it brought us surprise, fear, and sadness not only for mountain lovers, but also for those who live in Japan, and it showed us the amazing power of nature. Isn't it an event that is clearly etched in Mr./Ms.'s memory?

Even now, in Heisei 31, the utmost care must be taken against very small ejections such as sudden volcanic ash. Even if you are able to enter the mountain, there are restrictions on access by each local government. It is a matter of course no matter which mountain you climb, but even if the restrictions on various places in theMt. Ontakeare relaxed in the future, you must take the utmost care when entering the mountain, prepare as much as possible, and step into the awe of nature.

I had a hard time figuring out how to introduce this mountain, which has strong memories of the recent painful disaster. Many of you may be familiar with this matter, but I wanted to write about the Ontake cult as a mountain of prayer and a representative of mountain worship, as well as theMt. Ontakeitself, which is a symbol that reminds me of myself, at this time, four years after the volcanic disaster.

If any of the readers of this article are considering climbingMt. Ontakein the future, I sincerely hope that they will engage in the mountain trek with the aforementioned awareness in mind.

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When you climb KisoMt. Ontakein the summer, you will meet Mr./Ms. people dressed in white. These people are participants in the summer mountain worship conducted by a group called "Ontake Ko" that worshipsMt. Ontake. Under the guidance of their predecessors (the role of leaders on the mountain of faith), the people, both energetic children and the elderly with weak legs, work together to slowly and steadily reach the summit while helping each other.

Also, these people perform rituals at various worship sites in the mountains, making symbolic gestures like Shugendo practitioners (yamabushi), chanting Buddhist mantras and sutras, while also reciting Shinto prayers and clapping their hands, offering prayers. Furthermore, they conduct a ritual called 'Oza' (御座), a divine descent ceremony, at sacred sites and mountain peaks. Not all groups are the same, but many 'Ontake-kou' (御嶽講) have passed down a syncretic faith that values both Shinto deities and Buddhist Buddhas through hiking and rituals.

However, even within the same world of mountain faith, there are some differences between Shugendo practitioners and the sendatsu and followers of 'Ontake-kou'.

Originally, Shugendo itself varies in its form of faith depending on which mountain the training is conducted. Nevertheless, many Shugendo practitioners dress in austere attire, run through the mountains like the wind, climb rocky areas, and engage in practices that traverse the boundary between life and death.

In contrast, the sendatsu and followers of Ontake wear simple white robes and usually hike slowly, guiding all participants up the mountain. Considering this, it can be said that Shugendo and 'Ontake-kou' have both similar and different aspects.

Similarities include finding the presence of deities and Buddhas in the plants, trees, rocks, rivers, wind, and clouds that live in the mountains, and in all natural phenomena. They also share the way they perform religious rituals, such as chanting sutras, mantras, and Shinto prayers during worship, known as 'otsutome' or 'gongyo'.

On the other hand, differences include the fact that Shugendo practices, such as the Omine Okugake training or the autumn peak entry at Mount Haguro, require strong physical strength and resilience, making them somewhat specialized and not easily accessible to everyone. However, in the case of 'Ontake-kou' hiking, there is a strong inclusive spirit that aims to guide both children and the elderly up the mountain, making it possible for anyone to participate in the hike.

Nevertheless, 'Ontake-kou', the bearers of Ontake faith, originally had Shugendo as their foundation, and their religious rituals were learned from Shugendo. It is believed that the origin of their faith, which began by feeling the presence of deities and Buddhas in the mountains, was Shugendo.

In the flow of time, 'Ontake-kou', which began in earnest in the late Edo period, maintained the form of faith of its foundation while developing uniquely by having ordinary people, rather than professional religious practitioners like Shugendo practitioners, take on the roles of hiking, training, and religious activities such as prayers.

Furthermore, after the Meiji Restoration, they were greatly influenced by the national religious policies of the time, and each group was forced to strongly incorporate Shinto elements, transforming into various Shinto sects. As a result, they created sects such as Ontake-kyo and Kiso Ontake Honkyo, which are still heard of today.

In this way, it can be said thatMt. Ontakeis a sacred mountain that represents a major turning point in the history of mountain worship and religious beliefs in Japan from the early modern period to the modern era.

When you first look up at Kiso'sMt. Ontake, you will be impressed by the magnificence of the mountain. In particular, it is divinely beautiful to see the snow-capped peaks on the peaks of the mountain in early summer and early winter, and the deep green forests and valleys of autumn leaves that spread out at the foot of the mountain make you feel the presence of gods and Buddhas in their appearances regardless of the season. If you put yourself on the top of a mountain in summer, you will think that you can reach the azure sky and majestic clouds, and if you look at the alpine plants that bloom in the surrounding mountains and rocky areas, you will realize that it is the place where the gods and Buddha live.

The very simple interaction with the gods lies beyond the heart of gratitude and awe for the nature that spreads out in front of us as a matter of course, and has carved out a history as a mountain of distinctive beliefs while following the form of Shugendō in ancient times. Its uniqueness is due to the fact that it is a belief in the mountains centered on the villages at the foot of theMt. Ontake, especially the Ryomitake Shrines in Kurosawa and Otaki, and in theMt. Ontakemiddle of the Edo period, it is also a belief in the founders of Chuko, the founders of the Chūkō Enlightenment Practitioner and the Fukan Gyo and their disciples, as well as the gods enshrined in the mountains, such as the Ontake Ōkami who protects the summit, the gods and Buddhas who protect each key point on the mountainside, and the spirit gods enshrined at the foot of the mountain. is enshrined in a certain order.

It can be said that people are guided by the presence of such gods and Buddhas, and they climb worship throughout the four seasons, and the experience builds a relationship of trust with fellow climbers, deepens their faith, and plays an important role in the unity of group worship. These various factors are interrelated as a whole, andMt. Ontakefaith has been formed. The basis of these elements is nothing less than the harmonious relationship between nature, God (Buddha) and man.

We are a part of and an extension of nature. I believe that this one small life is surrounded and protected by many other lives, growing and finding joy in living. Not only is nature special, but human life itself is also an important element in the formation of nature.

If we can feel the existence of nature and people, and the gods and Buddhas who connect them, even if the shape of ancient beliefs changes over time, the mental landscape ofMt. Ontakeengraved in our hearts will not fade and will be able to pass them on to future generations.

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I wrote this article in the form of my thoughts onMt. Ontake. In the midst of the volcanic disaster in Heisei 26, I was worried that the people who lived out their lives in Miyama, their relatives, and all those involved would have to look back on their painful feelings.

At the same time, with the selfish hope that this article might serve as a small opportunity to remember the deceased, I want to keep in mind and never forget what that volcanic disaster taught us in my future interactions with the mountains.

*The photos include scenes from before the eruption.