Home of the Yamabushi warriors 日本の山の戦士のホーム – softypapa adventures

This mountain in central Japan was once home to monk-like samurai warriors who chose a harsh life of wilderness solitude over their privileged station in Japanese feudal society. Living alone in caves or rough huts the fighting monks would spend their days meditating and refining their skills at martial arts. Owing allegiance to no master the Yamabushi (literally “Mountain Warriors”) became famous for their mystery, prowess and hard-won independence.

The mountain in this video has long been regarded as holy in both the Buddhist and Shinto (native religion of Japan) faiths. Called Ryuso-san (Mt. Ryuso) the mountain stands like a sentinel over the historic city of Shizuoka on the east coast of Japan near Mt. Fuji. For centuries pilgrims have sought the summit by way of three main routes approaching from the east, west and south. The southern route runs from Sengen shrine (静岡浅間神社) near downtown Shizuoka along ridges toward and eventually up and onto the mountain. It is the longest and most arduous ascent and a route rarely travelled anymore. The mountain ridges you see in this video are where the southern trail reaches the very edge of the mountain (off camera at right) and begins moving up in earnest. Mists and clouds form on these ridges nearly every afternoon as warm, wet air from the sea is channeled up the canyon to cool and condense amidst old-growth deciduous forests covering the steep mountain flanks. Caves hidden in the woods were once home to Yamabushi warrior priests who lived in solitude, meditating and refining their skills at martial arts.

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My name is Kurt Bell and I am delighted that you have taken some time to share a little of the experience of life with me. I’m available on social media at the links below and can be reached via email at dinnerbytheriver@gmail.com

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THE PATH OF WILDNESS

The Path of Wildness is easy to find
The course of a stream
Leaves blown in the wind
A beast’s track through the brush
And the direction of our first inclination

The Path of Wildness is an answer and response to a prescribed way of life which may leave some individuals with a sense that their living is little more than a series of pre-determined, step-like episodes between birth and death. The stages of living between these events: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, parenthood and senior are themselves natural and in accord with the needs of the species and most individuals. Many find their satisfaction in living this course and to these individuals I have little or nothing to say. Others though long for something more; something innate, genetic and seemingly calling. Adventure and change can give a degree of satisfaction and relief yet even these may seem too tame. To those who feel drawn to something beyond the entertainment and stimulation of senses I offer a walk along The Path of Wildness. Don’t bother penciling the event in your schedule, preparing a pack with goodies and supplies or even inviting a friend along, for this experience is along the course of your first inclination and you must surely always go alone.

Learn more about The Path of Wildness here:
http://wp.me/P5A2F-As

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CHANNEL CREDITS

“Japanese Falls” image by the artist Lane Brown. See more of Mr. Brown’s work at the following URL:
http://lanebrownart.blogspot.com/p/portfolio.html

Channel Theme Music “Song For Kurt” used with permission by Nowherians. Discover more about the artist and their music here: http://nowherians.bandcamp.com/