En no Ozuno

En no Ozunu was a legendary ascetic and spiritual leader in Japan during the Heian period, often regarded as the founder of Shugendo—an ancient practice combining mountain worship, Shinto, and Buddhist elements. He is believed to have taught methods for spiritual cleansing, healing, and attaining enlightenment through rigorous rituals, meditation, and nature worship. While details about his life are shrouded in myth, his influence significantly shaped Japanese mountain asceticism and spiritual practices, emphasizing harmony with nature and personal discipline as paths to spiritual power.