A longform video on Buddhist-Shinto history? Yes please!!! I'd absolutely love that! I really enjoyed your explanation of the history and spirituality surrounding Mount Fuji, I totally agree that learning about those sorts of things makes a visit to any place so much more enjoyable and meaningful. I like how Konohanasakuya-hime is linked to Mount Fuji as Asama no Okami (I assume because of the story of her locking herself in a burning hut to prove she had been faithful?) but that she is also associated with blossom which is fragile and transient. She reminds me that not only are volcanos a source of great fertility, but also after they have erupted and turned the land around them into a moonscape, very soon the first flowers start to appear in the cracks in the lava brining hope for renewal.
I'm glad I climbed Mount Fuji the one and only time during the mid 1990s before all the crowds. It was certainly worth it as the sunrise from the top was truly epic. I was quite fit back then (and an experienced, dedicated backpacker) and I must say it was a strenuous hike. 10 peaks in California's Sierra Nevadas are over 4,200 meters but the trails in general are more gradual so one is better able to adjust to the reduced oxygen levels. I hope you are getting plenty of work!
Wow in the 1990s! That must have been great! Nice! And yeah... I've been up at 4,200 meters when I was in Tibet years ago, and I remember it being really exhausting even to take a few steps!
@@GoNorthJapan In my one trip to Tibet in the summer of 1987 we took a bus running on dirt roads from Golmud, Qingahai to Lhasa which crossed passes over 5,000 meters. Headache city.
Good video. You probably are already aware of this but I recently learned about the case of the japanese streamer who fell off Mount Fuji in 2019. A heartbreaking case about a man that survived a stage 4 cancer only to die like that. I think that case highlights the importance of taking preparations seriously and not underestimating the risks.
This is excellent information. I have family that’s been traveling there and/or planing on traveling, and I’ll be sure to forward this to them. Thanks!
Excellent counsel for climbers! Alas, at my age, my views of Mt. Fuji will likely remain those provided by Hokusai. But I especially appreciated your fifth point regarding the cultural aspect of the great mountain - and I would greatly look forward to your further discussion of the Shinto and Buddhist parting during the Meiji. Thank you once again for your wonderful videos!
The history and cultural significance definitely makes it more than just another mountain. Haven't climbed Fuji yet but I got a special feeling after summiting Mt St Helens even though I've climbed many much taller mountains.
Fuji? Forget about Fuji, what about that majestic avenue of cryptomeria leading onto the Fujisan Ōtorii at Kitaguchi Hongūfujisengen...? 😄 What a beautiful, dramatic spot, great choice for doing this chat. Super interesting bit about the cultural-religious background of Fujisan. Thank you Quinlan 🙇♂ (I like to have a peek at it pretty much every day, through one of Kawaguchiko TV livecams. There's just something special about it 😍)
I’m going to hike my Fuji in 7 days. I was excited to see that you posed since I remember you posted a video about climbing mt Fuji in the off season nearly a year ago.
I want to hike up Mt Fuji again because the first time I went, it was my first real long hike and I was out of shape, went without proper equipment and such, but I still made it up somehow after struggling a lot. Basically I was in Japan and just went up there on a whim with my friends. I want to do it again since I'm now more fit and I'm hiking almost every week now and have went up higher mountains, I'm curious to see what the difference the experience would be compared to all these years ago.
Same! I first went up Mt. Fuji in 2003 sort of on a whim with friends without any hiking year.. basically just in normal running shoes and slacks! But that was in August so it was easy weather-wise... but definitely a completely different experience from recent hikes!
is zinc oxide on the lips no longer a thing? Also, I remember being told about sunburn on the roof of your mouth. My old Vuarnets with the side-shields are long gone. I would love doing this, but my mountain climbing was in high school and I made it up to one glaciated peak (Mt Jefferson). I graduated high school in 1982. We used crampons and ice axes and were roped up across one ice field where you could look down where you'd fall to, and it looked like it was miles down to a lake. I'd recommend it if you ever make it to Oregon!
Great vid as always. Absolutely agree on your first point. Hiking Fuji-san is super boring. The Fuji-go-ko view during sunrise is nice but you have to be lucky and the amount of people who go up there would put me off nowadays. I hiked it back in 2006, and I remember many people on top, but probably not as many as now. Bragging rights ok, but I can absolutely confirm that the hike itself is strenuous, it is super cold on top, and the most boring hike I have ever done. Nowadays, I also prefer to hike the mountains around Fuji. Fuji is a mountain to be gazed at, not to be stuck on the trail in traffic jam.
Got it! I find that fascinating as well! But I wonder if a video is the right medium for it. I guess if people don't mind just listening to me talk on video.. I don't have the skill set to make animations or a bunch of illustrations for it...
Quinlan, your mention of a podcast to discuss how Shinto and Buddhism have syncretized evokes the podcast "History of Japan" by Isaac Meyer from U of Washington. He restarted his history from the beginning with episode 501, and he has transcripts and academics references. Great way to learn Japanese history (after watching you, of course)!
@@kurofune.uragabay Thanks for the reference! I will check him out. Any other Japan related podcasts or YT channels you recommend? I follow Deep Dive from the Japan Times and How to Japanese by Daniel Morales.
Well, nothing new really, I also find myself checking Chris' podcast regularly (even though he's clearly run out of ideas 😁), & the Asahi Shinbun, but Justin's has to be my favourite. And since it's so dense I have to listen to them several times before the big picture starts coalescing
been to the summit of Fuji-san way back July 2017...I also want to climb it off season because I just want to experience alpine mountain climbing....or are there other mountains in Japan that are suitable for beginners at alpine mountain climbing?
There are tons of small mountains in Japan that are great for people just starting to hike! So many you could look in just about any city and find the nearest ones!
A longform video on Buddhist-Shinto history? Yes please!!! I'd absolutely love that! I really enjoyed your explanation of the history and spirituality surrounding Mount Fuji, I totally agree that learning about those sorts of things makes a visit to any place so much more enjoyable and meaningful. I like how Konohanasakuya-hime is linked to Mount Fuji as Asama no Okami (I assume because of the story of her locking herself in a burning hut to prove she had been faithful?) but that she is also associated with blossom which is fragile and transient. She reminds me that not only are volcanos a source of great fertility, but also after they have erupted and turned the land around them into a moonscape, very soon the first flowers start to appear in the cracks in the lava brining hope for renewal.
Yes, the fertility caused by eruptions is so interesting! Also love the flowers (like komakusa) that only can live in volcanic gravel!
Your video clips are always beautiful and informative. Australians and Kiwis are enjoying watching it! Thank you!
Thanks so much!
I'm glad I climbed Mount Fuji the one and only time during the mid 1990s before all the crowds. It was certainly worth it as the sunrise from the top was truly epic. I was quite fit back then (and an experienced, dedicated backpacker) and I must say it was a strenuous hike. 10 peaks in California's Sierra Nevadas are over 4,200 meters but the trails in general are more gradual so one is better able to adjust to the reduced oxygen levels. I hope you are getting plenty of work!
Wow in the 1990s! That must have been great! Nice! And yeah... I've been up at 4,200 meters when I was in Tibet years ago, and I remember it being really exhausting even to take a few steps!
@@GoNorthJapan In my one trip to Tibet in the summer of 1987 we took a bus running on dirt roads from Golmud, Qingahai to Lhasa which crossed passes over 5,000 meters. Headache city.
Good video. You probably are already aware of this but I recently learned about the case of the japanese streamer who fell off Mount Fuji in 2019. A heartbreaking case about a man that survived a stage 4 cancer only to die like that. I think that case highlights the importance of taking preparations seriously and not underestimating the risks.
I would be very interested in hearing you talk more about the history of Shinto and Buddhism.
Thanks, I'll see about writing something up!
Thanks!
Thank you so much!!
This is excellent information. I have family that’s been traveling there and/or planing on traveling, and I’ll be sure to forward this to them. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Excellent counsel for climbers! Alas, at my age, my views of Mt. Fuji will likely remain those provided by Hokusai. But I especially appreciated your fifth point regarding the cultural aspect of the great mountain - and I would greatly look forward to your further discussion of the Shinto and Buddhist parting during the Meiji. Thank you once again for your wonderful videos!
So glad you found it interesting! Thank you!
This was an excellent and very informative watch, thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much for watching!
Great advice! Highly recommend the Mt. Chokai climb!!
Mt. Chokai from Hokodate is my favorite!
Great info - thx for this!
Thanks for watching!
I love hiking but I’m happy to simply look at Mt Fuji. Interesting as always!
Agreed! And glad you found it interesting!
The history and cultural significance definitely makes it more than just another mountain. Haven't climbed Fuji yet but I got a special feeling after summiting Mt St Helens even though I've climbed many much taller mountains.
Mt. St Helens must have been gorgeous!
Fuji? Forget about Fuji, what about that majestic avenue of cryptomeria leading onto the Fujisan Ōtorii at Kitaguchi Hongūfujisengen...? 😄
What a beautiful, dramatic spot, great choice for doing this chat. Super interesting bit about the cultural-religious background of Fujisan. Thank you Quinlan 🙇♂
(I like to have a peek at it pretty much every day, through one of Kawaguchiko TV livecams. There's just something special about it 😍)
Thanks so much for watching! Really glad that you liked it!
I’m going to hike my Fuji in 7 days. I was excited to see that you posed since I remember you posted a video about climbing mt Fuji in the off season nearly a year ago.
Yes! I decided that a year later I could post another one!
And good luck on your hike!!
@@GoNorthJapan thank you
I want to hike up Mt Fuji again because the first time I went, it was my first real long hike and I was out of shape, went without proper equipment and such, but I still made it up somehow after struggling a lot. Basically I was in Japan and just went up there on a whim with my friends. I want to do it again since I'm now more fit and I'm hiking almost every week now and have went up higher mountains, I'm curious to see what the difference the experience would be compared to all these years ago.
Same! I first went up Mt. Fuji in 2003 sort of on a whim with friends without any hiking year.. basically just in normal running shoes and slacks! But that was in August so it was easy weather-wise... but definitely a completely different experience from recent hikes!
is zinc oxide on the lips no longer a thing? Also, I remember being told about sunburn on the roof of your mouth. My old Vuarnets with the side-shields are long gone.
I would love doing this, but my mountain climbing was in high school and I made it up to one glaciated peak (Mt Jefferson). I graduated high school in 1982. We used crampons and ice axes and were roped up across one ice field where you could look down where you'd fall to, and it looked like it was miles down to a lake. I'd recommend it if you ever make it to Oregon!
Great vid as always. Absolutely agree on your first point. Hiking Fuji-san is super boring. The Fuji-go-ko view during sunrise is nice but you have to be lucky and the amount of people who go up there would put me off nowadays. I hiked it back in 2006, and I remember many people on top, but probably not as many as now. Bragging rights ok, but I can absolutely confirm that the hike itself is strenuous, it is super cold on top, and the most boring hike I have ever done. Nowadays, I also prefer to hike the mountains around Fuji. Fuji is a mountain to be gazed at, not to be stuck on the trail in traffic jam.
1000% agree! And thanks, glad you liked the video!
I’ll be hiking Mt. Fuji this August…during the week of Obon. Wish me luck, people. The crowds are going to be INSANE. 😂
do it on a week day....as early as possible.....good luck!....been to the summit way back July 2017...for me the descent was harder than the ascent
Oh! Have fun! Hope it's not too hot!
Wonderful Video, i would Love to watch a Video about the relation between Shinto and Buddhism in Japan.
Got it! I find that fascinating as well! But I wonder if a video is the right medium for it. I guess if people don't mind just listening to me talk on video.. I don't have the skill set to make animations or a bunch of illustrations for it...
@@GoNorthJapan I wouldn't mind that but a different format would be fine aswell, whatever works best for you is gonna be OK with me.
Quinlan, your mention of a podcast to discuss how Shinto and Buddhism have syncretized evokes the podcast "History of Japan" by Isaac Meyer from U of Washington. He restarted his history from the beginning with episode 501, and he has transcripts and academics references. Great way to learn Japanese history (after watching you, of course)!
Oh, that sounds interesting! I'll have to check him out!
Actually, I am quite partial to Justin Hebert's *_"A_* History of Japan", and he also talks about these events 🤓
@@kurofune.uragabay Thanks for the reference! I will check him out. Any other Japan related podcasts or YT channels you recommend? I follow Deep Dive from the Japan Times and How to Japanese by Daniel Morales.
Well, nothing new really, I also find myself checking Chris' podcast regularly (even though he's clearly run out of ideas 😁), & the Asahi Shinbun, but Justin's has to be my favourite. And since it's so dense I have to listen to them several times before the big picture starts coalescing
been to the summit of Fuji-san way back July 2017...I also want to climb it off season because I just want to experience alpine mountain climbing....or are there other mountains in Japan that are suitable for beginners at alpine mountain climbing?
There are tons of small mountains in Japan that are great for people just starting to hike! So many you could look in just about any city and find the nearest ones!
👍👍🙏🙏