Yamagata 2: Dewa Sanzan (3 Sacred Mountains) + Mt. Yudono Secret

Episode Notes This is Part 2 of a 3-part series on Yamagata Prefecture, as part of our Travel & Books focus. You can still listen to Part 1: Samurai, Beef and Basho . Content Warning: This episode talks about death and dying. In this episode, Amy visits Mount Yudono, one of the three sacred mountains of the Dewa Sanzan. This mountain has a shrine that is so sacred, those who enter are not allowed to talk about their experience afterwards. Before going into the Yudono Shrine grounds, she asks a Japanese person what the rules are. Once explained, she enters the mountain with her new Japanese guide. Amy decides to "talk around" the sacred shrine for this episode, and we think you'll be genuinely surprised at some of the mountain's secrets, at least the ones we're allowed to talk about. She introduces Shugendo mountain worship as well as the sokushinbutsu self-mummified monks of the past that have been found among the Dewa Sanzan. She also reflects on Kūkai (Kōbō Daishi), esoteric Buddhism, the Morning Star Meditation and the Shikoku 88-Temple Pilgrimage and . Books mentioned: Living Buddhas: The Self-Mummified Monks of Yamagata, Japan (McFarland & Co., 2010) by Ken Jeremiah Articles mentioned: Diane Neill Tichner's Sokushinbutsu—Self-Mummification to Attain Buddhahood Songs mentioned: The Sukiyaki Song by Kyu Sakamoto Shout-outs: Thanks to Yamagata Experience for their support on my hike to Mount Yudono, Heartland Japan for the Yamagata Onsen Tour and to "Miki" for her interview about Yudono Shrine. The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press . Podcast host Amy Chavez is author of The Widow, the Priest, and the Octopus Hunter: Discovering a Lost Way of Life on a Secluded Japanese Island . and Amy's Guide to Best Behavior in Japan. The Books on Asia website posts book reviews, podcast episodes and episode Show Notes. Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service. Subscribe to the Books on Asia newsletter to receive news of the latest new book releases, reviews and podcast episodes.