Mt. Gyoja

Shrouded in mist and legend, Mt. Gyoja rises before us. This peak holds a special place in Japanese lore, intertwined with the enigmatic figure of En no Gyoja. Mt. Gyoja in Nara Prefecture is not just a geographical landmark. It’s a place whispered to be imbued with the spirit of En no Gyoja, the mountain ascetic. Born in 634 CE near the Nara Basin, En no Gyoja embraced a life of austerity, training with hermits in the caves of nearby Mt. Katsuragi. He became renowned for his skills as an apothecary and his mystical powers. One of his medicinal creations, “Daranisuke,” is still produced in the Yoshino region, offering relief for various ailments. En no Gyoja’s life was filled with extraordinary tales. He was accused of witchcraft and exiled by the Emperor. Legends say he forced a local god to build a bridge across the mountains. Another story claims he was the first person to climb every mountain in Japan. He even supposedly flew on a multi-colored cloud. Mt. Gyoja stands as a testament to his connection with the mountains. En no Gyoja’s legacy extends beyond the mystical. He is considered the founder of Shugendo, a religion that blends mountain worship with Buddhism, Shintoism, and shamanism. He established a base for Shugendo on Mt. Omine in Nara over 1,300 years ago, after witnessing the creation of a new deity, Zao-gongen. He also carved the deity’s image from a mountain cherry tree, making it sacred to the faith. The nearly 100 KM long Omine-Okugake Pilgrimage Route, stretching from Nara to Wakayama, is also attributed to him. Mt. Gyoja serves as a reminder of En no Gyoja’s enduring influence on Japanese spirituality. While his life is shrouded in mystery, his connection to the mountains remains palpable. As you stand here, on the slopes of Mt. Gyoja, imagine the ascetic traversing these very paths. Feel the presence of ancient stories and mystical energies, woven into the very fabric of this sacred mountain.