Yamabushi Research Paper

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The Yamabushi are a type of Japanese goblin, most commonly in the form of ascetic monks who live high in the mountains in seclusion. They are very powerful warriors with magical powers. Different forms of Yamabushi can be seen in various different cultures. Modern day Yamabushi are mountain monks who are followers of the Shugendo religion. The name Yamabushi literally means “one who lies/hides in the mountains”. The Yamabushi began as isolated clusters of mountain hermits and monks, who followed the path of Shugendo. Through the following of Shugendo, the Yamabushi searched for “spiritual, mystical, and supernatural powers.” (Yamabushi). They gained these powers through asceticism.
It is said that the founder of Shugendo was an old sage named En no Gyoja. He is known as a type of Japanese Merlin. En no Gyoja lived in the late 7th century, he was said to have mystical powers and lived in seclusion climbing Japan’s sacred mountains. This is why many Yamabushi climb those same mountains to this day. He is considered, by many, as the father of Shugendo. “Shugendo is a major syncretic movement dedicated to achieving mystical powers by combining pre-Buddhist mountain worship and ascetic practices with esoteric Buddhist teachings.” (Terminology). “Shugendo literally translates as ‘the way to magical powers though hardships’ or ‘the way of cultivating psychic and spiritual powers.” (Tengu). The Yamabushi followed these teachings in order to receive those supernatural powers. The occult knowledge and magical abilities they gained help them gain a revered status.
The myth of the Yamabushi comes in when they became known as Tengu. The Tengu are Japanese goblins; they became linked to the Yamabushi because they were known to assume t...

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...er and even held knowledge of the occult. This great knowledge in magic is just like what the Yamabushi Tengu possesed. Many other Native American tribes worshiped bird-like beings who shared the same behavior as the Yamabushi Tengu.
As human culture became modern, the Yamabushi Tengu became less of reality and more of a myth. That does not mean that they were completely forgotten though. The teachings of Shugendo lived on and are still practiced to this day. Modern day Yamabushi are not goblins but they are mountain hermits. They still live high in the mountains in seclusion, just like the goblins of old. Often living in isolated clusters, modern day Yamabushi still place a high emphasis on asceticism. Lots people in Japan even seek counsel in these wise monks. It’s safe to say that the myth of the Yamabushi is not dead and will continue to live on for a long time.

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