An ancient Japanese sect performs its annual pilgrimage

• published: 21 Jul 2015
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SHOTLIST Kii Mountains - date unknown 1. Wide of Kii Mountains 2. Mid of Yamabushi man blowing shell horn 3. Various of Shingon Sect Yamabushi tending a ritual fire called which wood containing prayers are burnt 4. Mid of Yamabushi reciting prayer 5. Various of Yamabushi tending ritual fire 6. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Kamitani Keido Senior Yambushi (Daisendastu) of The Shingon Shu Tozan Yamabushi group "We walk continuously for seven days. Around 60 kilometres per day. This is the biggest part of our training." 7. Various of pilgrims and Yamabushi gathering in Hongu to begin pilgrimage 8. Wide of Yamabushi addressing followers and pilgrims whom he will guide to sacred places in the mountains 9. Various of group setting off along mountain paths that connect sacred sites 10. Pan of part of the route Yamabushi and pilgrims will follow 11. Wide of Yamabushi and pilgrims walking across ridge 12. Various of Yamabushi climbing mountain path 13. Close of feet on pilgrimage 14. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Takagi Ryoe, Yamabushi "Shugendo means going into the natural wilderness of the mountains to perform austerities to gain power. Power to be used to help others." 15. Various of Yamabushi walking through the forest 16. Wide of Japan's highest waterfall and sacred site on the Kumano Kodo and location for ritual austerities 17. Various of shrine located on mountain facing the waterfall 18. Various close of Takagi San writing a talisman for a visitor to the temple 19. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Takagi Ryoe, Yamabushi "Shugendo has had many ups and downs in long history. During the first year of the Meiji era (1868) around 120 years ago the government ordered a separation between Buddhism and Shinto religious practice and Shugendo was outlawed. So for an extended period Shugendo was forbidden but 120 years on we have revived the practice in the form of Kumano Shugen." 20. Various of Takagi San performing a ritual next to mountain shrine 21. Mid of Takagi San listening to shell horn being played 22. Various of Yamabushi and pilgrims reciting sutra 23. SOUNDBITE: (Japanese) Takagi Ryoe, Yamabushi "The reason for reviving Kumano Shugen is that this area, that is Kumano, Omine, Yoshino, is the absolute best and most sacred training ground for the practice of Shugendo in Japan. So others and myself have revived the practice with the hope that training in the mountain wilderness will purify body soul and spirit and have a positive effect on both practitioners and those around them in their daily lives. " 24. Wide of Yamabushi and followers walking out of forest 25. Various of Yamabushi walking along road to next section of the Kumano Kodo LEAD IN: An ancient Japanese sect is keeping its unique traditions alive thanks to an annual mountainside pilgrimage. Known as Shugendo, or Japanese esoteric Buddhism, followers walk along isolated paths as the Yamanbushi, whilst those leading the rituals, perform mystical rites. STORYLINE: In Japan's Kii Mountains old traditions die hard. Here followers Shugendo, a sect that combines elements of both Buddhism and Shintoism, are meeting for an annual pilgrimage. Deep inside the tranquil forests, sacred rituals are practised by the Yamabushi. In former times the Yamabushi renounced material comforts in favour of a life of austere self-discipline, however now it is common for Yamabushi to live a normal life, with jobs, family etc, but on special occasions they take a leading role in the Shugendo traditions. The practice of these rituals dates back from around the 9th century. The rituals continued until they were outlawed during the first year of the Meiji administration in 1868. Keyword religion You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/2d286c61ad36b1c5ac57260376315e39 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork