Yuichi Otomo 

Mr. Otomo was born in Misuzawa, Tsuruoka City, and as a child, dreamed of becoming a voice actor. He started his drama career in a theatre company, but the death of his grandparents caused him a change of heart. He returned home, deciding to become the successor to his family’s business, Touunji Temple. While also working as a care assistant and some other jobs, he trained to become a monk in Zenpoji. While at Zenpoji, he was assigned to the task of writing the amulets, and this started his career in calligraphy. He is keenly aware of the importance of not only the mental approach to his calligraphy work, but …

Kazuhiro Hayasaka 

Born and raised at the foot of Mount Haguro, Mr. Hayasaka is the 17th generation proprietor of Daishinbo Pilgrimage Lodge. After attending university in Tokyo, he moved to Sendai for work. At 29, he returned to Mount Haguro and became a Yamabushi, in order to carry on the family business. His hobbies are intertwined with the mountains, including hiking, skiing, and foraging for mountain vegetables. Until his father’s generation, Daishinbo was one of only two lodges which facilitated the Fuyunomine Winter Peak Ritual, one of the most intense ascetic traditions in these mountains.  Message to participants of the Trek with Yamabushi Experiences: “By wearing the white clothing of the Yamabushi …

Ryuhei Abe 

Mr. Abe was born into a temple family, but he did not want to become a monk. However, throughout his youth, he felt frustrated with his situation and his inability to progress academically, and at 18 he began to practice zazen for self-development. He went to Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture to train, spending two and a half years there. While training, he worried about his future, and his master continually reminded him to “live in the now.” When the time came to leave Eiheiji, he walked the 500km back to Yamagata, taking 21 days, and coming around to a major shift in mindset and a new understanding of the …