Behind the nine hand seals lies a world of sacred mountains, fierce deities, protective rituals, and journeys of transformation.
Shugendo and the Yamabushi, the Mountain Ascetics Behind Kuji-In introduces the history, legends, and practices of Japan's mountain religion. Written by Lido Migo as a companion to The Way of Kuji, it follows the nine characters into the landscapes and religious communities that gave them meaning.

The journey begins with En no Gyoja, the ascetic revered as Shugendo's founder, and the stories of unruly spirits, divine encounters, and exile that surround his life. It then explores a tradition shaped by Buddhist teachings, kami worship, and mountain pilgrimage, tracing its development through changing institutions, suppression, and renewal.
From Yoshino and Kumano to the three mountains of Dewa Sanzan, readers discover how a landscape becomes a mandala and how walking, clothing, sacred speech, and ritual embody a teaching. The book examines the symbolism of death and rebirth, the three mysteries of body, speech, and mind, and the significance of waterfall practice, fire offerings, and the yamabushi's distinctive equipment.

Returning to kuji-in and kuji-kiri, it explores the Chinese ancestry of the nine-character formula, the relationship between hand seals and grid cutting, and their roles in protection and ritual preparation. Chapters on lineage differences, Marishiten, and the modern ninja image connect familiar gestures with a richer religious and cultural history.
Photographs of the nine hand seals, an illustrated introduction to the nine cuts, and explanations of their names, sounds, and meanings provide a concrete starting point. Eight appendices offer a chronology, an overview of lineages and sacred places, an equipment reference, pronunciation guidance, and a glossary, followed by a bibliography and suggestions for further study.

Throughout, historical evidence, religious legend, and contemporary philosophical reflection remain clearly distinguished, allowing each to contribute its own perspective.
For readers of Japanese religion, esoteric Buddhism, sacred landscapes, and contemplative traditions, this book opens a path from the gestures of the hands to the life of the mountains-and to the responsibilities that await after the descent.