you don’t know it, but you should…
[Music] [Music] [Music] She’s [Music] That was the haiku written by Matsu Basho. He wrote this after making the pilgrimage to the main theme and location of our video today, Yamada. Yamada and this series of temples officially known as the Huan Dish Shakuji. It has a very interesting history that goes all the way back to the Han Jai or the Han period. At that time, Buddhism was spreading amongst the mainland. This would have been the early dynasties of China. And there was a sect called Tendai. It was around the time of 84 AD that a Japanese monk by the name of Sai Cho traveled to China to study this Tiantai or Tendai way of Buddhism. As he learned, understood and read the scriptures, he returned to Japan to establish the Japanese tendai schools and teaching. It was at that point that he founded the Indyakuji which was on Mount Hi. This was built in 788. But it was 86 that it had secured the imperial recognition. Not only that, but he instituted a unique Mahayana based ordination system. This was based off the bodhic sattva vows. There were three successors to him. Anin, engin. Amongst those successors was Enimin. The important figure that would go on to established the Yamada temple and instill this kind of tendai philosophy within it. Tendai was significant. It became the mother school of many major Japanese traditions. Zen, Pure Land, and Niten. They all began within the framework of Tendai. Over time, Tendai’s political power declined and unfortunately the Enyakuji was destroyed in 1571. But the comprehensive and syncric teachings remain to this day. Now when we look at Yamada which literally means mountain temple its presence at top the sheer cliffs makes it the physical embodiment of spiritual pursuit. In order to reach the various temples in the top, you must climb 1,15 steps. And for centuries, it has served as a center for mountain asetism or shug do where practitioners retreat into nature to purify themselves and to try to attain enlightenment. As for the locals, it isn’t just a place for exercise. It’s a modern-day pilgrimage, often tied to prayer for good health, safe child birth, exam success, and personal rebirth. I can attest to this as Sai is very close to Yamada and it is a very popular day trip. Once you are there and committed to this pilgrimage, there’s an idea that each step purifies one’s earthly desires. Now, it’s very interesting to talk about the early history, but Yamada has stood there not just from the Han period, but through the medieval and the Edo period as well. So, in the Hon period, it had a main hall with an internal flame. This very eternal flame exists to this day, and it is burned for over 1,200 years. Unfortunately, during this medieval time, it was burned down as is the case with many temples and structures throughout Japan over and over again during civil wars or conflicts. It was in 1356 that the feudal lord Sheiba Kaneori who was the ruler of Yamagata Castle which we will talk about him in detail at some point when we do our video on Yamagata. But he rebuilt the main hall. And in 1521, the temple burned down again. And once again, it was restored by the powerful warlords of that region, including another interesting and famous name in Japanese history, Moami Yoshiaki. Now, it was the Edeto period where Yamada started to begin a renewed cultural interest throughout the entire nation. And it was 1689 when this poem that I read at the beginning of this video was written. Now, you may be asking yourself, why was it built? Why particularly in the Tohoku region, one that is kind of seen as the countryside of the nation and at that time would have been seen as the far-off territory or the unknown as power was centralized within the Kzai region and the kingdom would have been around Kyoto or Nada at the time. Well, it was for that very reason. It was to expand influence and to expand cultural inheritance to far-flung areas. Now, this particular one matching its tends was a ground to train spiritually and be harmonious with nature. It was state sponsored under imperial and aristocratic patronage, reinforcing the religious and political relationship of the time. Those of you that know Japanese history know that religion played a big role in politics and influence. Those of you interested today, there are highlights and areas that I think are key to try to visit. At some point you may also find yourself passing the Nolon Gate. This is another beautiful structure and it was actually crafted in 1848. This would have been during the Maji period. It is crafted entirely with wood and just a copper plated roof. It also houses fierce neo guardian statues believed to be the work of a disciple of un. Now the cliffbuilt sanctuaries are some of the most fascinating and incredible. They are directly built on the cliff faces. Now these are the god and the okonoin. These were constructed in the kake zukuri style which is a very interesting technique akin to Kyoto’s famed kiomizer where deep set pillars support the veranda and the building over vertical rock. The second place that I think is very interesting and important to visit is the kon churo which is the main hall. This this actually replaced the original Han structure. We can only imagine what the structure of that Han period would have looked like. About 60% of its beams are made with beachwood, making it Japan’s oldest extent beachwood structure. Inside, it enshrines a thousand-year-old eternal flame. Now, the style of it is interesting. It’s a specific style called idimoya zukuri and this is a hip and gabble roof. Overall, it’s an architectural marvel because of its use of beachwood which is very rare in Japanese temple construction but also its seamless blend into nature. Something fascinating is along the way there are many different spiritual caves. uh these are ones for sitting and meditating. Now the final question we may be wondering and asking ourselves is what cultural significance does it have now? Well, as it’s an enduring and iconic temple within the Tohoku region, it is immortalized by poetry known nationwide and it is a reminder that the Tohoku region has always mattered spiritually and has always mattered culturally. After the 2011 great earthquake, there were many many visitors who came to Yamada to pray and reflect. This also made it a symbol of healing and continuity at the time. And so, not only is it important to locals, not only is it used as a daily pilgrimage, not only is it seen as symbolic of the Tohoku region, but it has become a must-see attraction for many visitors from other countries and other cities within Japan. It draws in pilgrims, poets, tourists, and hikers. And there are dozens of small businesses around it where you can find delicious ice cream or soba. In fact, during my trip, I went to a local soba shop and I was able to find this. [Music] In my opinion, Yamada has a certain sacredness and most of the people that you see making the pilgrimage there are locals. You could say that Yamada isn’t just a temple, but it’s a reflection of how the people of Tohoku live out their values. Humility, endurance, reverence for nature, and quiet strength. What I Thank you. All right. [Music] [Music] I’d like to thank everybody for watching today. [Music]
Apart from being a gem destination in the Tohoku region, Yamadera has a very fascinating origin story. Let’s briefly discuss it and then walk the legendary trail!
► BEHIND the scenes Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/ShadesofAoshi
Merchandise Store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/ShadesofAo/shop?asc=u
I designed a Kanji practicing notebook! Check it out: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0F1L7LGX8
The gear I like to use:
Sony a6400 https://amzn.to/3HdD5PW
Sigma 18-55mm https://amzn.to/45mHI4a
Road Lav Mic https://amzn.to/430Y7dg
iPhone 16 https://amzn.to/3S9rPGE
DJI OM 5 https://amzn.to/3lRag1x
Shure MV7+ https://amzn.to/43irSVM
#japaneseculture #explorejapan #japanesehistory #japantrains #旅行 #japanholiday #japaneselanguage #日本 #日本語 #建築 #列車
#japanesecastle #abroadinjapan #japanesearchitecture
Featured Music:
-Swingin’ by Purrple Cat – https://purrplecat.com
Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons : Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en_US
-Sound Effect by : https://pixabay.com/users/prettysleepy-2973588/
-A few others and my own produced music.
Pixabay
Nov – Esdras 2
Taiko Amp Brams Scene
Kyoto Dream
Top Flow – Japanese Battle
H-Beats – Smile
music_for_video – Please Calm my Mind
AloJapan.com