yamabushi; Shugendō practitioner
A mountain ascetic who practices Shugendō, a syncretic tradition combining elements of Buddhism, Shinto, and folk religion. Often depicted wearing distinctive attire and blowing a conch shell.
See also: 修験道
A yamabushi is walking along the mountain path.
Shugendō yamabushi undergo rigorous training.
itinerant Buddhist monk
A broader, less technical term for a wandering Buddhist monk, sometimes used interchangeably with yamabushi in historical or literary contexts.
Long ago, itinerant monks traveled from village to village offering prayers.
lion's mane mushroom; bearded tooth fungus
Standard kanji form; high frequency in news and common usage.
Rarely used kanji form.
From 山 (mountain) + 伏 (prostrate, lie down), referring to ascetics who lived and trained in the mountains. The alternative kanji 臥 (lie down) carries a similar meaning.