First ‘training’ for the year

TIM BUNTING

KIWI YAMABUSHI

山伏

キウイ

First ‘training’ for the year

I had been feeling the urge to get out and do Yamabushi training, and I’m happy to say that I’ll at least be able to do something like it on the first of July. Every year, they have a ceremony to celebrate the ‘opening’ of Mt. Gassan and this year I should be able to take part.

The reason it’s at this time of the year? Snow. Every year more than 10m settles on top of Mt. Gassan and it’s why the mountain has the latest ski season in Japan. The ski season starts in April! And when enough of the snow is melted, i.e. around July first, we can climb up to the top.

I’ve been up there in July a few times now, and there’s normally still snow that we have to walk over, using only a rope to stop us from falling down the snowy slopes.

It should be good, but Mt. Gassan is not a mountain to treat lightly. I’ve been up there in a thunderstorm when the rain stings your face.

Tim
June 14, 2020
6:33 pm
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hi, I’m Tim Bunting AKA the Kiwi Yamabushi, a New Zealander who became a Yamabushi Ascetic in the Dewa Sanzan mountains of north Japan. I’m part of the Yamabushido team, and we host life-altering Yamabushi training on the Dewa Sanzan (website link). People come to us for the ultimate mindfulness experience, to reach the next level, or simply connect with nature and themselves.

I’m on a mission to summit all 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata Prefecture to spread the splendour of this fabulous location, and in dedication to all those who lost their lives out in nature, including my father.

On my daily blog I post thoughts of a practicing Yamabushi that I hope people can use to better themselves and live as fulfilling a life as possible.

Sign up to the weekly Mountains of Wisdom newsletter, follow me on social (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, Clubhouse, all @kiwiyamabushi), or send me an email via the link below to stay in touch.

Tim.