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| Dinner at Shukubou |
We drove a car to Yamagata prefecture to visit Dewa Sanzan. Dewa sanzan is the mountains for Japan's ancient mountain worship and it consists of 3 sacred mountains (Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono). Many pilgrim and practitioners of
Shugen-do visit the mountains. We stayed at shukubo (temple Lodging). According to Shinto priest of shukubo, Mt. Haguro, Mt. Gassan Mt. Yudono signify this world, the world after death, rebirth respectively. So the order of visiting shrine is also decided same as above order.
The dinner there was made from fresh seasonal vegetable of Yamagata and it was served with a glass of sacred Japanese wine.
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| Pagoda at Mt.Haguro |
Visiting Mt. Haguro - about 10 min. walk from the entrance, a five storied pagoda stands on the way to shrine. It is registered as National treasure and considered built around 931 - 938 by Masakado Taira. The pagoda stood firmly, calmly surrounded by cedars. Looking the pagoda I felt like time was stopping in here. And it made me realize I was one of small element same as a leaf or a insect in the nature. Eternal, uncontrollable atmosphere was there.
Visiting Mt. Gassan - as it expresses heaven, the shrine located very high. We drove a car up and up. I could understand the view from near top actually dividing up the lower world and heaven. The top of the mountain was open marshland like enlightened world.
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| Torii of Mt.Yurdono |
Visiting Mt. Yudono - There is saying; "Not to tell what you saw and heard at Mt. Yudono to others". Mmm...I can't tell... but it was very interesting experience. Just say, I felt mother nature.
