Mt. Miwa

Mt. Miwa is a mountain located in Sakurai city, Nara, of which height is 460.7 meter. The mountain is a divine object of a Shinto shrine called Omiwa Jinja located at the foot of the mountain. In Japanese Shintoism religion, a mountain is considered the place where divine beings exist and among the mountains, a special name “Kan-nabi” is given to special divine mountains in which the origin is described in the mythological legends and/or records. The “Kan-nabi” mountains have attracted worships from Japanese people and Mt. Miwa is one of them. Omiwa Jinja is a place appointed to commence its daily religious service to the mountain.

In the legend about the origin of Mt. Miwa’s divinity, the divine founder of Japan called Oo-kuni-nushi, usually enshrined in Izumo Shrine, met his other spirit who came far from the ocean during his development work for Japan, and he decided to enshrine the spirit at Mt. Miwa (You can refer to my previous article for further explanation on divinities’ spirit separation). It happened more than 2000 years ago in the legend, so the religious worship to the mountain can be originated from the very ancient time in Japan. Archaeological studies were conducted and it was revealed that the emperor of the time settled nearby the mountain and the emperor and his men had religious practices to worship the mountain.

Due to its sacredness, only priests and monks were allowed to enter into the mountain in the past. However, currently people with no religious background can also climb the mountain if they apply for the permission with an application form and payment of admission fee at 300 yen a person at the shrine’s office, but the applicants are asked to follow strict rules designed to show the mountain the utmost worship. Here are the special rules to which the climbers should be obliged;

1. Do not eat and drink inside the mountain (Bringing some water is approved but informally)

2. Do not take photos (unless the shrine permits)

3. Wear a special white cord with a bell (the proof that you are the climber)

4. Return to the foot by 4 o’clock PM (so the application is closed at 2 o’clock PM)

5. Do not leave any garbage inside the mountain.

6. Refrain from sharing what you underwent inside the mountain with others (Be in secret)

7. Purify yourself with a wand placed at the mountain's entrance.

8. Be sincere to the mountain

9. Refrain from any lobbying and business attractions

10. Do not take anything (flowers, grass, stones) from the mountain 

Since I wasn't allowed to take pictures and I am now allowed to talk what I saw inside, all I can say is that I climbed the mountain the other day. However, as I believe our Kamis (deities) forgive me, I’ll tell you one more thing; it’s worthy to go. If you’d like a special experience related to Japanese spirituality and zealotry, you can visit the mountain.