Japanese mountain legends, Davis retelling
Mount Fuji
Davis's chapter presents Mount Fuji through poetry, sacred associations and legends. Its snowy cone is compared with an inverted fan and a white lotus, while Sengen is associated with its summit. The chapter also connects the mountain with stories of the Elixir of Life and Lady Kaguya.
Also known as Fuji · Fuji-yama · Fujiyama
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In the sources
A mountain described through symbolic forms
DocumentedDavis compares Fuji's snow-capped cone to an inverted fan and discusses a white-lotus image in religious terms. These are documented features of his description and interpretation.
Sengen and the summit
TraditionalDavis names Sengen as the Goddess of Fuji and recounts a legend of her hovering in a luminous cloud above the crater. He also associates the mountain with the Elixir of Life.
Context & interpretation
Fuji is a real mountain; this entry covers the meanings and tales attached to it in Davis's book. His translations of names and his religious comparisons are treated as source statements, not established etymology or a complete account of Japanese belief. The illustrations depict the chapter's legends, rather than documenting current conditions on the mountain.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths and Legends of Japan
Its great snow-capped cone resembles a huge inverted fanOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Chapter IX, printed p. 130
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0146
- Original scan leaf
- 166
- Recorded leaf number
- 166
- Current Reader position
- 145
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Myths and Legends of Japan
Sengen, the Goddess of FujiOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Chapter IX, printed p. 132
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0148
- Original scan leaf
- 168
- Recorded leaf number
- 168
- Current Reader position
- 147
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
