Mount Kami
Mount Kami is a sacred mountain in Okayama Prefecture, Japan, serving as the most revered site for the Honbushin religion. Originally known as Mount Yama-no-kami, it was renamed Kamiyama by the Honbushin organization in 1978 and features a main sacred pillar (kanrodai) on its summit, surrounded by eight sacred stones representing spiritual impurities.
Key Facts
- ›Designated as the most sacred mountain of the Honbushin religion.
- ›Features a hexagonal stone kanrodai (sacred pillar) on its summit, installed with a stone disk and torii gate.
- ›The summit includes 97 steps leading to an inner sanctuary.
- ›Eight sacred stones surrounding the kanrodai represent "eight dusts" (spiritual impurities) that worshippers aim to cleanse.
- ›Facilities include the Miroku Memorial Hall, dedicated to the founder Miroku-sama, and the Saiseiden (Reincarnation Hall) for ancestor veneration and reincarnation prayers.
- ›The Honbushin headquarters is located in a valley north of the mountain.
Kamiyama, Mount Yama-No-Kami
Honbushin
- Central Sacred Site For the Honbushin Religion.
- Represents Spiritual Purification Through the Cleansing of the "Eight Dusts" Via Sacred Stones.
- Site For Ancestor Veneration and Prayers For Reincarnation.
- Touching the Eight Sacred Stones While Chanting "Namu Kanrodai" To Cleanse the Mind of Impurities.
- Worshipping At the Saiseiden To Pay Respect To Ancestors and Pray For Reincarnation.
- Visiting the Miroku Memorial Hall Dedicated To the Founder.
Miroku-Sama
About Mount Kami
Mount Kami, also known as Kamiyama (神山) in its current designation, is a mountain located in Higashi-ku, Okayama, within Okayama Prefecture, Japan. It holds profound significance as the most sacred mountain of the Honbushin religion. The mountain's spiritual importance was formally recognized when the Honbushin religious organization opened it as a sacred site on August 19, 1978. Prior to this designation, it was known by the name Mount Yama-no-kami (山乃神山).
Sacred Structures and Practices
The summit of Mount Kami is distinguished by the presence of Honbushin's main kanrodai (sacred pillar). This consists of a small, hexagonal outdoor stone pillar, positioned in front of a much larger, vertically oriented stone disk, with a torii gate preceding it. Access to the inner sanctuary on the summit is via a flight of 97 steps. The specific location of the kanrodai is identified as kanrodai-no-ba, with coordinates 34.59349°N 134.07463°E.
Surrounding the kanrodai enclosure are eight sacred stones, each representing one of the "eight dusts" (八つの埃), which are spiritual impurities: hoshii, oshii, kawai, nikui, urami, haradachi, yoku, and kouman. Adherents of the Honbushin faith believe that by touching these stones with both hands while chanting "Namu Kanrodai" (南無甘露台), they can achieve mental purification from these eight afflictions.
To the east of the kanrodai lies the Seijyouen (清浄苑), or "Purification Garden." This area contains two principal buildings: the Miroku Memorial Hall (Miroku Kinenkan), dedicated to the Honbushin founder Miroku-sama, and the Saiseiden (再生殿), also known as the "Reincarnation Hall." The Saiseiden is crowned with a large spherical sculpture and serves as a place where worshippers pay homage to their ancestors and offer prayers for a favorable reincarnation. Both the Saiseiden and the Mirokuden were constructed during the 1980s.
An observation deck (展望台) is situated to the south of the kanrodai, offering views of the surrounding landscape. The Honbushin headquarters (Honbushin honbu) is located in a valley to the north of the mountain.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mount Kami known for?
Mount Kami is primarily known as the most sacred mountain of the Honbushin religion. It features a prominent sacred pillar (kanrodai) on its summit and surrounding structures dedicated to worship and spiritual practice.
What is the significance of the kanrodai?
The kanrodai is the main sacred pillar of the Honbushin religion, located on Mount Kami's summit. It is a hexagonal stone pillar with a large stone disk behind it and a torii gate in front, serving as a focal point for worship.
What are the eight sacred stones on Mount Kami?
Surrounding the kanrodai enclosure are eight sacred stones, each representing one of the "eight dusts" or spiritual impurities: hoshii, oshii, kawai, nikui, urami, haradachi, yoku, and kouman. Touching these stones while chanting is believed to cleanse the mind.
What buildings are located on Mount Kami?
Mount Kami features the Miroku Memorial Hall, dedicated to the founder Miroku-sama, and the Saiseiden (Reincarnation Hall), where worshippers honor ancestors and pray for favorable reincarnation. These were built in the 1980s.
When was Mount Kami established as a sacred site?
Mount Kami was opened as a sacred site by the Honbushin religious organization on August 1978. It was formerly known as Mount Yama-no-kami before being renamed Kamiyama by the organization.
Related Sacred Mountains
Honbushin
Honbushin is a Japanese new religion, rooted in Tenrikyo, that was founded on April 26, 1961, by Ōnishi Tama, also known as Miroku-sama. The religion's headquarters are located in Okayama, Japan, with a significant sacred site on Mount Kami, where a kanrodai is erected. Honbushin emphasizes the existence of Kami-sama (God) as the source of human existence and believes in reincarnation.
Kurozumikyō
Kurozumikyō is a Shinto-based Japanese new religion founded in Okayama during the 19th century by Munetada Kurozumi. Its central tenet is the worship of Amaterasu, the sun goddess, believed to be the supreme deity and source of all life. The religion emphasizes daily sun worship, known as nippai, and focuses on virtues such as sincerity, selflessness, and hard work.
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is an iconic, active stratovolcano in Japan, recognized as the country's highest peak and a significant cultural and religious site. It is revered in Shinto and Buddhist traditions, serving as a destination for pilgrimage and artistic inspiration for centuries. Its symmetrical cone, often snow-capped, makes it a prominent symbol of Japan.