[Mt.Fuji] The Mountain Gazing out over Japan

Mt.Fuji■The Mountain Gazing out over Japan

The holy mountain accepts all who climb, and grants the state of mind to see into all things. The holy mountain accepts ass who climb,and grants the state of mind to see into all things.

Opening of the Mountain to Climbers
There are no barriers now to going onto Mt. Fuji, which hosts a variety of sports and leisure activities. Long ago, however, when the mountain was considered the home of spirits, only those bent on religious rites were allowed onto it. The ban on going onto the mountain was lifted only for one period during the summer, and this gave rise to the custom of ‘opening the mountain’. Traditionally this took place on June 1st of the old lunar calendar, equivalent to July 1st today. A special ‘mountain opening’ rite of prayers for safety takes place at the Fujisan Hongu Sengen Taisa Shrine, followed by various rituals, such as the ‘purification ceremony’ and ‘lighting of the holy fire’ at Murayama Sengen Jinja shrine. Along with these ancient ceremonies people in modern times also celebrate this long-awaited event with a ‘Miss Fuji Contest’ and a fireworks display. Climbers set out during the night to watch the sunrise from the peak. Japan’s highest summit, with a view stretching out over the land in all directions, Mt. Fuji accepts all who climb, and grants a state of mind with which to see into all things. The climbing season extends for about two months before the mountain is again closed for the winter.