Nachi Falls

Many thanks to author and friend Cate Kodo Juno. Cate is a Buddhist priest ordained in the Shingon Buddhist tradition of Japan. She is also a "sendatsu" (先達), or official pilgrimage guide, of the Saigoku 33 Kannon Pilgrimage.

There are 48 waterfalls that have traditionally been used by shugenja (mountain ascetics) for spiritual practices. The 133 meter Nachi Waterfall is revered as a kami (god) and as the manifestation of the "Kannon of the Waterfall," representing unending flowing compassion.

Two rocks stand at the top of the falls, which are known as guardian kami. Before being destroyed during the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century, a Buddhist temple was also here.

Legend has it that many shugenja and lovers have jumped from the top of the waterfall in the belief that they will be reborn into the goddess Kannon’s paradise. Every morning, the Shinto priests from Nachi Taisha Shrine make offerings to the waterfall kami in a beautiful and quietly dignified ritual.