In pre-Buddhist animistic (see Animism, Shinto entries) Japan, shamans (see Shamanism) had the responsibility of organizing religious ceremonies and performing cures for the various clans. With the coming of Buddhism (see Buddhism, Japanese Buddhism) with its magical formulae, or mantras (see Mantras), shamans participated in more secular activities as well. Furthermore, shido-so, monks unattached to temples, wandered the countryside practicing magic, exorcising demons, and telling the future to paying customers. Some Buddhist shamanic figures such as one Ozuno from Mount Katsragi, became the source of legends. Ozuno walked on water, flew through the skies each evening on a multicolored cloud, and kept company with spirits.
