Fujisan, sacred place and source of artistic inspiration
The beauty of the solitary, often snow-capped,
stratovolcano, known around the world as Mount Fuji, rising above
villages and tree-fringed sea and lakes has long been the object of
pilgrimages and inspired artists and poets. The inscribed property
consists of 25 sites which reflect the essence of Fujisan’s sacred and
artistic landscape. In the 12th century, Fujisan became the centre of
training for ascetic Buddhism, which included Shinto elements. On the
upper 1,500-metre tier of the 3,776m mountain, pilgrim routes and crater
shrines have been inscribed alongside sites around the base of the
mountain including Sengen-jinja shrines, Oshi lodging houses, and
natural volcanic features such as lava tree moulds, lakes, springs and
waterfalls, which are revered as sacred. Its representation in Japanese
art goes back to the 11th century, but 19th century woodblock prints of
views, including those from sand beaches with pine tree groves have made
Fujisan an internationally recognized icon of Japan and have had a deep
impact on the development of Western art.