Yamabushi

[1] They are generally part of the syncretic shugendō religion, which includes Tantric Buddhism and Shinto.

[2] Their origins can be traced back to the solitary Yama-bito and some hijiri (聖) (saints or holy persons) of the eighth and ninth centuries.

[3] According to American writer Frederik L. Schodt: These positively medieval-looking nature worshipers carry metal staves and conch shells and wear straw sandals and sometimes a hemp cloth over-robe with the Heart Sutra written on it.

They follow a mixture of esoteric or tantric Buddhism mixed with Shinto, the native animistic religion of Japan.

[4]The Yamabushi usually wear and bring the following clothes and items with them:[5][6][7]

Appearance of the Yamabushi. They wear yuigesa , kyahan , and tokin . They hold a shakujō in their hands, and blow the horagai to prevent evil spirits.