Фудзияма – вулкан, который считается одним из most beautiful on the planet. It is located in Japan, where it is deified from time immemorial. It should be noted that, at present, in this country the mountain is considered a sacred national symbol. The ancient Japanese believed that it was here that the gods lived. In connection with all this, it is not surprising that its image is found not only in numerous paintings and photos, but also on national Japanese banknotes. There is a legend that the mountain appeared on a completely flat stretch in just one night, the reason for which was a strong earthquake.
The volcano is owned by Great HongSangen Temple - an important Shinto shrine. The original of the gift received from the shogun in 1609 is kept in one of its halls until our time. It should be emphasized that it was confirmed by the Japanese Supreme Court in our time.
Location
Mount Fuji on the map of Japan can be seen onHonshu Island The distance from here to the capital of the country - Tokyo - is about ninety kilometers in the south-east direction. Its location is located directly above the zone where three tectonic plates at once - the Philippine, North American and Eurasian - are being joined. Now around the mountain is the National Japanese Park, which is called Fuji-Hakone-Izu. From any place on the island you can see its even cone. From a geographical point of view, the coordinates of Mount Fuji are indicated as 35 degrees 21 minutes north latitude and 138 degrees 43 minutes east longitude. The chain is made up of five lakes that surround the mountain on the north side, which is particularly picturesque.
Status
Nowadays, scientists around the world are arguingRegarding what status should have a volcano Fuji: active or extinct it? There are many arguments in favor of both one statement and the second, so it is not so simple to answer this question unequivocally. Now in Japan it is called an active volcano, the probability of its eruption is very low.
Shape, size and age
The mountain has the shape of an almost perfect cone.The height of the volcano Fuji is 3776 meters. In this regard, most of the time its top is difficult to see because of the clouds. Individual words deserve the shape of a crater, which looks very similar to a lotus flower. His petals in this case are huge ridges, which were called by the locals as Yaksudo-Fuyo. As for its diameter, it is about five hundred meters. According to numerous archaeological and scientific research, the mountain is a stratovolcano. Its formation began about a 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 dip. Around him is a large variety of religious buildings.
Origin of the name
Even in our time, many scientists find it difficultanswer, in connection with which Mount Fuji was named just such a name. Judging by modern hieroglyphs, then Fuji literally means abundance and wealth. At the same time, 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 correct 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, he advanced the theory that the word “Fujiyama” is of Ainu origin and means a fiery deity. However, the well-known Japanese linguist Kyosuke a little later refuted this version. Studies on this subject are being conducted now, but so far there is no uniform interpretation.
Conquest of the top
In addition, Fuji is a volcano thatannually attracts a huge number of tourists. Information about his first conquest dates back to 663 year. Then an unknown monk managed to climb the mountain. According to statistical information, 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 can not fail to capture the spirit of everyone who got here.
There are currently three routesleading all interested tourists directly to the vent. An interesting fact related to the ascent of the volcano, due to the fact that earlier it was allowed to climb only men. This happened before the era of the rule of Mendi (1868–1912). Since that time a lot has changed, and now it is women who make up the majority of pilgrims. You can climb the mountain from July 1 to August 31. This time is considered the safest. In all other months, the top is covered with snow.
Eruptions
Статистика извержений этого вулкана ведётся уже for more than twelve centuries, starting in 781. During the period of this time, with more or less significant force, only six of them were recorded.
Since the last strong eruption passedalready more than three hundred years. It began on November 24, 1707 and lasted for two months. On the half way from the top to the foot of the mountain, then the second crater appeared, from which lava and thick smoke escaped. The area where the volcano Fuji is located, as well as most of the streets of the capital of Japan, Tokyo, were literally covered with a thick layer of ash. Appearing secondary peak, which is known as Kheizan, can be seen today. Two more major eruptions occurred in the 800 and 864 years.
Fujiyama in Japanese art
In the national art of Japan, Mount Fuji,as a rule, it is depicted as a volcano with snow-covered slopes, from the vent of which comes a small trickle of smoke. The first memories of her in the local literature date back to the eighth century. It should be recalled that at this time the period of its volcanic activity fell. Worldwide famous Fuji became largely due to the work of Japanese engravers, who worked during the reign of Emperor Edo. The most popular of them are such works of Hokusai as "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" and "One Hundred Views of Fuji."
Part of the national park
As noted above, Mount Fujiis an integral part of the national park. On its slopes you can find many plates warning of a strict ban on the release of garbage. Moreover, each pilgrim before the ascent receives a package designed to collect it, if it was left by someone. At the same time, no one considers it shameful to make a contribution to keeping 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, Fuji is a volcano thatis the most popular and main tourist attraction in Japan. Not surprisingly, most people in the country consider it the most beautiful place on the planet. Since July, for three months, local rescue centers and small mountain huts are at the disposal of tired tourists and travelers. At this time there is also a very common trade in food and beverages.
Из трёх проложенных к вершине троп выделена одна the main one. There are ten points for recreation on it. Here, to each conqueror of the summit, special staffs made of bamboo are given out. They greatly assist them in lifting. Moreover, at each of the stations, a stamp is applied to the staffs, which is a confirmation that the tourist has really passed the stage. To simplify the ascent to the half of the way (to the fifth point), a motor road has been laid.
Religious and cultural significance
На территории Японии абсолютное большинство Shinto practitioners. For every follower of this religion, Fuji is a sacred volcano. The ancient inhabitants of the country assumed that its crater was the forge of the god of fire, Ainu. That is, in their opinion, and was considered the reason for the fact that the slopes are covered with debris and ash. Now, from July to August, the period of greatest activity of pilgrims who are eager to visit their main shrine falls. During this time, every night up to three thousand people remain here who want to watch the vast expanses of the ocean and the rising sun from here. Every Japanese considers his pilgrimage to this mountain to be his sacred duty.
