What is Goshuin (御朱印)?
Goshuin (御朱印) consists of two words. 御 is a prefix indicate respect and 朱印 means “red stamp seal.”
Today, when we say Goshuin, it means a calligraphy or stamp as a kind of souvenir of Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple we visit.
No one knows the beginning of it exactly but it can go back to the 17th or 18th century. At that time, people dedicated Nokyo to a Shinto shrine or a Buddhist temple.
Nokyo is to dedicate a sutra or scripture written down on a hand scroll or a sheet of paper. Shinto and Buddhism were so fused Shinto shrines accepted it though it has no scripture. For example, Itsukushima shrine has a large volume of Heike Nokyo (Sutras handed in by the Heike clan).
Usually, a sutra is long and it is demanding to write it down. As time went by, people substituted a printed one or a piece of wood called Nokyo Fuda for Shakyo.
When people handed in Shakyo to a shrine or temple, it gave them Shuin as a certificate.
Today, people don’t think Goshuin as a certificate of Nokyo but treat it as a “proof” of the Goen, or the relationship, between a Shinto shire or a Buddhist temple they visit and them though some believe it is a collectible.
The meaning of Gosyuin
This is a Gosyuin of the Afro Buddha of Konkai Komyoji temple. It is a typical one and I show you what the words ans stamps mean.
- Name of Deity: The Afro Buddha’s real name is 五劫思惟阿弥陀仏(Goko Siyui Amidabutsu). In this Goshuin, 阿弥陀仏(amitaba) is abbrieviated. Behind the 五劫思惟, there is a stamp of him.
- Certification: Sanpai (参拝) certicficates we paid a visit to a shrine/temple.
- Name of Shrine/ Temple: Usually, the location or Sango (temple only) is prefixed to a name of the shrine/ temple. In this case, Rakuto(洛東), the region is prefixed. Siunzan (紫雲山), the Sango of the temple could be added.
- Stamp seal of Shrine/ Temple
- Date: The year is usually written in Japanese Imperial period. Some Shinto shrines write it in Japanese Imperial year instead.
- Words related to shrine or temple: Sometimes, words have something to do with the shrine/ temple. “宝蔵善薩四十八願” is 48 vows/ oaths Afro Buddha said before comencing his Buddhist practices. The practices lasted so long he grew his long hair.
Afro Buddha? Check them out!
Prepare for Gosyuin
Have a Gosyuin cho notebook
Gosyuin cho is a notebook for Goshuin. It is available at Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples (except small ones), book stores, and souvenir shops.
Pay a visit to the main hall
First, pay a visit to the main hall or the facility the deity of a Goshuin you want to have.
Find a Shamusho/ Jimusho or Goshiin booth
Goshiin is usually issued in Shamuho of shrine or Jimusho of temple. Both are the places we can have amulets, Omikuji, and so on. Some large shrines and temples have Goshuin booth. Wait in line in front of it.
Don’t cut in. We wait in line even in the aftermath of natural disasters.
How much does it cost us?
CASH ONLYィィィ!!!
A Goshuin costs you JPY 100~. Pay in small changes as possible.
DO NOT TAKE PHOTO WITHOUGT PERMISSION while personnel writes Goshuin
Types of Goshuin
Introduction
There are many types Goshuin. I’ll show you some of them. Basic, ready-made, limited, luminous, and “art work” ones.
Basic Gosyuin
The basic ones are available all through the year and personnel write it down on your Goshuin notebook.
Ready-made Goshuin
Some temple has Kakioki (書置き) Gosyuin. It is a ready-made one and personnel add the date of visit.
Limited Gosyuin
Goshuin available in some special occasion. This one is available only when Goshichinichi Misiho takes place.
And this one is available only in December. 主夜神 (Shuyajin), the deity of Hosrinji temple is open to us in the month. The cat is a medium between the deity and us. 肉球(cat beans) stamp tells us we always remember the kawaii.
Luminous Goshuin
This Gosyuin, Nene chan (encircled in red) emits light in darkness. Luminous Goshuin is usually available at night illumination visit.
“Art work” Goshuin
There are many types of art work Goshuin. This is a papercut one.
Gion Matsuri Gosyuin
All the Yamahokos of Gion Matsuri have the Goshuin of their own. They are available only during Yoiyamas. Chek out these.
Have a special Gosyuin note book at Kaisho of Yamahoko, book stores, and souvenir shops.
Every page indicates which stamp should be stamped.
In the Matsuri, there are many ready-made Goshuins. Takayama provides us with a beautiful one every year.
And Kuronushi Yama, too.
Of course we can have Gosyuin of Yasaka shrine. The one is of 2019. Gion matsuri marked the 1150th anniversary and “奉拝” is written in gold.
Gion Matsuri is formally known as Gion Goryo-e. And Goryo-e Goshuin is available in July.
Check this out.
Gion Matsuri is a festival for getting rid of epidemics. In the pandemic period, these ones were available.
