In Japan yamabushi, or mountain mystics, are well known for their distinctive clothing and practice of using conch shells as horns, but who they are and what they do are not as widely known.
Shugendo, a colorful centenary ritual of mountain asceticism to be held June 1-4 at Kyoto's Shogoin Temple and other places, will offer a fantastic opportunity to get a glimpse of yamabushi's mysterious tradition.
The ceremony commemorates the 1,300th anniversary of the death of En no Gyoja, a semilegendary ascetic of the late 7th century. Credited with supernatural powers, he attracted many disciples. His teachings later developed as a Buddhist sect.
The four-day ritual will start with the opening fire festival June 1, 5-9 p.m. at Shogoin Temple, featuring yamabushi music and dance and solemn fire walking. A Buddhist ritual celebration June 2 will be followed by a large procession of some 400 yamabushi June 3. They will leave the Kyoto Gosho at 1 p.m. and walk along Marutamachi-dori to arrive at Shogoin Temple at 3:45 p.m.
Shogoin is a 10-minute walk from Marutamachi Station on the Keihan Line. For more information, call the organizer at (075) 771-1880.