Database: The Kumano Faith

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Since ancient times, the Kumano region in the southern part of Kii Province has been a major center for Shugendō. At the end of the 11th century, the area was considered a Pure Land (free of corruption) thanks to the presence of the three Grand Shrines: the Hongū Shrine, representing the Pure Land of Amida (Amitābha), the Shingū Shrine, representing the Yakushi (Bhaishajyaguru), and the Nachi Shrine, representing the Kannon (Guanyin). By the 12th century, retired emperors and aristocrats were among the frequent visitors of the region. In the 13th century, the monk Ippen, while on a pilgrimage to Hongū, received instructions from an oracle of the Kumano-gongen to establish a sect of the Amida faith called Ji-shu. Pilgrimages to Kumano were managed by the Shugendō monks. Low-ranking monks called oshi would act as hosts, guiding them through the shrine and offering prayers. Each of the Grand Shrines offered the go-shuin, charms printed on paper which could be used as talismans against bad luck or for writing an oath on the back. It was believed that if the written oath was not fulfilled, a crow messenger of the deity Kumano would die, and the person who took the oath would vomit blood, die, and be sent to hell.