Online dictionary of history and traditions in Japan: Yamabushi

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French version

Yamabushi

山伏山臥
alternative words: Yama-bushi, Yama bushi
keywords: ninja , religion
related topics: Shugendo , Heian period , Ninja
explanation: Literally those who sleep in mountains, they belong to Shugendo order which consists to practice austerities in mountains in order to get magic power. They are easily recognizable by their dress: a small black cap (tokin), a checkered kimono (suzukake), a Buddhist rosary (nenju), a conch-shell trumpet (horagai), a staff with rings (shakujo). During middle ages, Yamabushi became one of ninja's preferred disguise methods because it allowed them to move freely without provoking any suspicion.