Page:Occult Japan - Lovell.djvu/243

Rh

For there is one mountain that makes bourne to a farther journey than any possible to the feet. Ontaké is goal to the soul's pilgrimage into the other world. For Ontaké is the mountain of trance. To its summit pilgrims ascend, not simply to adore but to be there actually incarnate of the gods. Through the six weeks in which the gods deign to receive man, divine possessions daily take place upon it. Furthermore, it is the only peak in Japan where, of the spot's own instance, such communion is thought to occur. It is what the Japanese call the great original (hon moto) of trance; other peaks, such as Ōmanago near Nikkō, getting their power by direct spiritual descent from it.

In keeping with the character of the peak, is the character of the pilgrim clubs that climb it. The Ontaké clubs differ from all their fellows in being divine-possession clubs. To become entranced is the club occupation. Instead of simple prayer-meetings in their dead season, these clubs hold regular séances for the purpose of being possessed, séances which they turn to very practical ends. For