A taste of waterfall training

Deep in the forests of western Tokyo, regular people have the chance to experience one of Japan’s traditional forms of spiritual training. (Hinohara, Tokyo)

Shinto, Shugendo, and esoteric Buddhist practitioners have been doing waterfall training for hundreds of years ahead of festivals and sacred events.

Keiichi Nishizawa, Shinto priest, Hiramatsuten Shrine / “Shugendo practitioners do ascetic training in the mountains to strengthen their minds and bodies. They do waterfall training as preparation.”

In Shintoism, Kuzuryu Shrine is home to the gods that guard the waterfall.

‘Kuzuryu’ means ‘nine-headed dragon.’

There, an assistant explains the procedures to the group of 22 participants.

Kuzuryu Falls is in a ravine near the shrine.

Why would anyone want to attempt this difficult training?

Yuji Sano, Civil servant / “My coworker invited me. I want to forget everything that happened at work this year and start fresh.”

Kizuki Takano, Office worker / “I want to get rid of these impure and negative thoughts I have. They pile up before you know it.”

Ryo Sugihara, Office worker / He’s got nothing but impure thoughts.

Shinto priest Keiichi Nishizawa offers a prayer as the trainees focus on the task at hand.

Keiichi Nishizawa, Shinto priest, Hiramatsu Tenjinsha / “That is “oharai,” a prayer to purify the body.“

A rowing exercise warms up the body before entering the chilly water.

Then, into the falls! Round one is short.

The gesture signifies entering a sacred space, and the strength to endure the waterfall.

Trainees shout a request to the gods for purification and to drive away negativity.

Keiichi Nishizawa, Shinto priest, Hiramatsu Tenjinsha / It’s something people feel, but may not be aware of. When you put your hands together and ask to be purified, gods descend and help you.

Training concludes after 2 to 3 trips into the falls.

These women made a new start after failing to reach their dieting goals.

Ai Kondo / “I was nervous but now I feel cleansed.”

Ryo Sugihara, Office worker / “I feel like I can move forward at work. Energy from nature came into me.”

Yuji Sano / “The water was so powerful, I couldn’t think about anything. I was able to empty my mind.”

Now 69, Nishizawa did waterfall training for years to develop himself as a Shinto priest. People started going with him.

Keiichi Nishizawa, Shinto priest, Hiramatsuten Shrine / “When the internet developed, I began offering training to the public.”

Foreign tourists and even corporations training new hires come to the waterfall.

But Nishizawa has a special reason for continuing to offer the training.

Keiichi Nishizawa, Shinto priest, Hiramatsuten Shrine / “Many Japanese are not religious. I hope waterfall training will be an impetus for them to re-examine spirituality.”

Joshua Brown, Nippon TV / “Waterfall training is a part of Japan’s spiritual heritage. Experiences like this keep it alive and relevant in modern society. Joshua Brown, Nippon T-V.”