13/02/2025
The Sacred Majesty of Mount Fuji: A Cultural Icon of Japan
Japan, one of the most mountainous nations globally, has a rich cultural heritage deeply rooted in mountain worship. Among its many peaks, Mount Fuji emerges as a distinctive cultural icon. Standing at 12,388 feet, it is the tallest mountain in Japan. Both of the country's principal religions, Shinto and Buddhism, hold Mount Fuji in high regard, with people from diverse backgrounds recognizing the profound significance of this natural monument ingrained in the national consciousness.
The sacred history and identity of Japan are intertwined with Mount Fuji, which, as author Edwin Bernbaum notes, "embodies the quest for beauty and perfection that has profoundly influenced various aspects of Japanese culture, both secular and spiritual." As a composite volcano, Mount Fuji has grown through the accumulation of lava and ash layers over time. Similarly, its sacred narrative has evolved as different religions, beliefs, and legends have contributed new dimensions to its significance. Historically, Japan's mountains have been revered as sacred spaces, leading to a belief system and rituals known as sangaku shinko, or mountain creed. With the emergence of Shinto before the 6th Century AD, this mountain reverence was incorporated into a broader appreciation of nature. Shinto beliefs hold that natural elements—such as trees, rivers, rocks, and mountains—are inhabited by spirits called kami, which exert influence over human affairs and respond to rituals and prayers. Kami are predominantly associated with mountainous regions, where shrines have been constructed to honor these sacred locations.
The introduction of Buddhism from China in the 6th Century AD further enriched the practice of mountain worship. Buddhist practitioners viewed mountain climbing as an allegory for the spiritual journey toward enlightenment, adopting Shinto’s sacred mountains as pilgrimage sites. In the 9th Century AD, the religious sect Shugendo emerged, emphasizing mountain climbing as a core practice, with the belief that ascents could facilitate communion with deities and confer supernatural abilities.
The name “Fuji” is thought to derive from an indigenous Ainu term meaning “deity of fire,” a fitting reference for an active volcano. In 800 AD, a shrine was established at the mountain's base to appease the deity responsible for its eruptions. Fuji later became recognized as the abode of the Shinto goddess Konohana Sakuya Hime, known as the "Goddess of Flowering Trees," who remains the primary deity of the sacred mountain, worshipped in Shinto shrines at its base and summit. These shrines include one originally dedicated to an earlier fire god, which is honored during a fire ceremony marking the end of each climbing season.
Buddhists also found inspiration in Mount Fuji, referring to its summit as zenjo, a term that signifies a state of perfect meditation. They came to view Fuji as the residence of the Buddha of All-Illuminating Wisdom. In the 14th Century AD, Shugendo practitioners established the first climbing routes to guide pilgrims to the mountain's summit. Four centuries later, Fuji-ko societies, dedicated to the worship of Fuji, emerged as a significant religious movement, prompting thousands to undertake annual pilgrimages. Those unable to ascend the mountain often used lava sand to create miniature replicas of Fuji in their gardens and Shinto shrines.
Today, pilgrims, including members of Fuji-ko, continue to ascend Mount Fuji. Many stop to pay homage at the shrine of Konohana Sakuya Hime, offer prayers at summit altars, or circumambulate the crater in ritual observance. While some climbers may participate out of tradition rather than devout worship, the mountain's mystical allure remains potent. Mount Fuji is also a vital religious center, hosting nearly 2,000 religious organizations, including one of Japan’s largest Buddhist sects.
