Space, Place and Religious Landscapes by Darrelyn Gunzburg Bernadette Brady

Author:Darrelyn Gunzburg, Bernadette Brady [Darrelyn Gunzburg, Bernadette Brady]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781350186422
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Published: 2022-03-24T00:00:00+00:00

Mount Fuji, Japan

As Japan’s tallest single peak, Mount Fuji, or Fujiyama (in Japanese often referred to respectfully as Fujisan), stands as a symbol of mountain worship as a whole (Figure 5.2). The age of the mountain is unclear, but the present peak is composed of three successive volcanoes, known as Kimitake, Ko Fuji (‘Old Fuji’), and Shin Fuji (‘New Fuji’). With a base of around 50 kilometres in diameter, and a summit of 3,776 metres, Mount Fuji dominates the landscape for miles around. The origin of the mountain’s name is uncertain, but it could be derived from an Ainu term meaning ‘fire mountain’. The Chinese ideograms (kanji) for Fuji denote fortune or prosperity.41 According to the authors of a recent study of Mount Fuji’s role as a sacred natural site,

The history of Mount Fuji as a spiritual place originates in the universal primitive form of mountain worship that is common throughout Japan. Over time, traditional mountain worship merged with introduced religions and evolved into a unique form of worship particular to Mount Fuji.42

For many Japanese people, and in particular the syncretic Fujikõ sect, the mountain has a personality or soul, and is the dwelling place of Shinto gods.43 The mountain was registered as a cultural World Heritage site in 2013 and is a designated national park, attracting tens of thousands of visitors a year. The water sources around the foot of the mountain are indispensable for local farmers and the peak has been an inspiration for generations of artists. As is the case in the Himalaya, the diverse natural environments of the mountain form part of its religious worship, as well as providing important ecological habitats.

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