“Takigyou(Waterfall Asceticism)” is a combination of the worship of waterfalls, which originated in mountain worship, and a ritual to purify the body and soul.
It is said that in ancient times, Shugensha (mountain ascetics) secretly performed this ritual to purify their bodies and minds before they began their full-scale ascetic practices.
This is Ja-taki Waterfall, one of the Waterfall Asceticism at Yakuo-in Temple. The origin of its name is said to be due to a legend.
The legend is that the ancestor of Mt. Takao, “Shungen Daitoku,” helped a snake that was about to be killed by a lumberjack while praying for rain at this waterfall. And then it started raining.
Today, the waterfall is practiced by Shugensha, and ordinary people can also do it under their guidance.