Fujiyama is one of the most beautiful volcanoes on the planet. It is located in Japan, where it has been deified for centuries. It should be noted that even now in this country the mountain is considered a sacred national symbol. The ancient Japanese believed that the gods lived here. In connection with all this, there is nothing surprising in the fact that her image is found not only in numerous paintings and photographs, but also on national Japanese banknotes. There is a legend that the mountain appeared on a completely flat area in just one night, which was caused by a strong earthquake.
The volcano is owned by the Great Hongu Sengen Shrine, an important Shinto shrine. In one of its halls, the original gift received from the shogun in 1609 is kept to this day. It should be emphasized that it has been confirmed by the Japanese Supreme Court in modern times.
Location
Mount Fuji on the map of Japan can be seen on the island of Honshu. Distancefrom here to the capital of the country - Tokyo - is about ninety kilometers in a southeasterly direction. Its location is located directly above the zone where three tectonic plates dock at once - the Philippine, North American and Eurasian. Now around the mountain is the National Japanese Park, which is called Fuji-Hakone-Izu. Its even cone is visible from any place on the island. From a geographical point of view, the coordinates of Fujiyama volcano are indicated as 35 degrees 21 minutes north latitude and 138 degrees 43 minutes east longitude. A chain consisting of five lakes that surround the mountain from the north side gives a special picturesqueness to the area.
Status
In our time, scientists around the world are arguing about what status Fujiyama volcano should have: is it active or extinct? There are many arguments in favor of both one statement and the second, so it is not so easy to unambiguously answer this question. Now in Japan it is called an active volcano, the probability of an eruption of which is very low.
Shape, size and age
The mountain has the shape of an almost perfect cone. Mount Fuji is 3776 meters high. In this regard, most of the time its peak is difficult to see because of the clouds. Separate words deserve the outlines of the crater, which outwardly are very similar to a lotus flower. Its petals in this case are huge crests, which were named by the locals as Yaksudo-Fuyo. As for its diameter, it is approximatelyfive hundred meters. According to numerous archaeological and scientific studies, the mountain is a stratovolcano. Its formation began about one hundred thousand years ago. This process lasted a very long time and ended about ten thousand years ago. On the western slope is the so-called Big Pit. Around it there are a large number of various religious buildings.
Origin of the name
Even in our time, many scientists find it difficult to answer, in connection with which Mount Fuji was given this name. Judging by modern hieroglyphs, "Fuji" literally means abundance and we alth. Along with this, we must not forget that the name has existed for many centuries, so this approach will not be entirely correct and, most likely, does not have the right semantic load. Many researchers refer to one of the Japanese chronicles dated to the tenth century. It states that the name of the volcano means "immortality".
One of the British missionaries (John Batchelor) already at the beginning of the twentieth century put forward a theory according to which the word "Fujiyama" is of Ainu origin and denotes a fiery deity. However, the famous Japanese linguist Kyosuke refuted this version a little later. Research on this subject is still ongoing, but there is no single interpretation yet.
Conquest of the summit
Among other things, Fujiyama is a volcano that attracts a huge number of tourists every year. Information about its first conquest dates back to663 year. Then an unknown monk managed to climb the mountain. According to statistics, now about five million tourists from all over the world come here every year. At the same time, on average, every tenth of them makes an ascent to the crater itself. Its depth is about two hundred meters, which cannot but take the breath away from everyone who got here.
Currently, there are three routes leading all interested tourists directly to the vent. An interesting fact related to climbing the volcano is that earlier only men were allowed to climb it. This was the case until the Mendy era (1868–1912). Since that time, a lot has changed, and now it is women who make up the majority of the pilgrims. You can climb the mountain from July 1 to August 31. It is this time that is considered the safest. In all other months the summit is covered with snow.
Eruptions
Statistics of the eruptions of this volcano has been conducted for more than twelve centuries, starting from 781. During this period, only six of them were recorded with more or less significant force.
More than three hundred years have passed since the last major eruption. It began on November 24, 1707 and lasted for two months. Halfway from the top to the foot of the mountain, then a second crater appeared, from which lava and thick smoke escaped. The area where Mount Fuji is located, as well as most of the streets of the capitalTokyo Japan was literally covered with a thick layer of ash. The resulting secondary peak, which is known as Heizan, can still be seen today. Two more major eruptions occurred in 800 and 864.
Fujiyama in Japanese art
In the national art of Japan, Mount Fuji, as a rule, is depicted as a volcano with snow-covered slopes, from the mouth of which a small trickle of smoke comes out. The first memories of her in local literature date back to the eighth century. It should be recalled that at this time the period of its volcanic activity fell. Fujiyama became famous all over the world largely thanks to the work of Japanese engravers who worked during the reign of Emperor Edo. The most popular of them are such works by Hokusai as "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" and "One Hundred Views of Fuji".
Part of the national park
As noted above, Mount Fuji is an integral part of the national park. On its slopes you can find many signs warning of a strict ban on garbage disposal. Moreover, before the ascent, each pilgrim receives a package intended for his collection, if one was left by someone. At the same time, no one considers it shameful to contribute to the maintenance of the Japanese shrine in a clean state. To ensure proper order on the slopes, there are also many automatic dry closets.
Tourism
Without a doubt, Fujiyama is the volcano that is the most popular and maintourist attraction in Japan. It is not surprising that most of the country's inhabitants consider it the most beautiful place on the entire planet. Starting from July, for three months, local rescue centers and small mountain huts are at the disposal of tired tourists and travelers. Trade in food and beverages is also very common here at this time.
Out of the three paths laid to the top, one main one has been singled out. It has ten points for relaxation. Here, each conqueror of the summit is given special staffs made of bamboo. They really help them get up. Moreover, at each of the stations, a brand is applied to the staves, which is a confirmation that the tourist has really overcome the stage. To simplify the ascent to the half way (to the fifth point), a road was laid.
Religious and cultural significance
In Japan, the vast majority of residents profess Shintoism. For every adherent of this religion, Fujiyama is a sacred volcano. The ancient inhabitants of the country assumed that its crater was the forge of the fire god Ainu. This, in their opinion, was considered the reason that the slopes were strewn with debris and ash. Now, from July to August, the period of the greatest activity of believing pilgrims who seek to visit their main shrine falls. During this time, up to three thousand people stay here every night, who from here want to watch the vast ocean expanses and the sun rising from them. Every Japanese considers the pilgrimage to this mountain to be his sacred duty.
