What is Goshuincho (ご朱印帳), a Japanese seal book?
Introduction of Goshuincho
A goshuincho is a ledger or booklet for storing the "goshuin" stamps given out at buddhist temples and shrines in Japan. Red stamps, goshuin (御朱印), are given on the spot, called "goshuin-sho (御朱印所), when you visit a temple or shrine, and they contain the temple's seal or the monk's handwritten ink. Goshuincho is a Japanese temple stamp book, and many Japanese people have one.
Historical Origins of Goshuin (御 朱 印) Seal
The origin of Goshuincho (御朱印帳) can be traced back to Japanese Buddhist culture. Goshuincho is a notebook used to collect Goshuin, which are sacred seals or stamps typically received when visiting temples and shrines.
The roots of Goshuincho date back to the Nara period (710-794 A.D.), when Buddhism flourished in Japan, leading to an increase in the number of pilgrims visiting temples and shrines. Pilgrims would receive a seal or stamp from monks or shrine maidens as proof of their visit, marking the beginning of Goshuin.
The widespread use of Goshuincho began in the Edo period (1603-1868). During this time, Buddhism gained popularity among the common people, resulting in a surge of pilgrimages to temples and shrines. It was during this period that dedicated notebooks for collecting Goshuin became common.
Today, Goshuincho is used in various settings such as tourist attractions and power spots. Collecting Goshuin serves as a memento of visited places and is often seen as an expression of faith and reverence.
Cultural Significance
The custom of goshuin, which originated from a belief in the gods and Buddha, is still deeply rooted in the lives of Japanese people. For example, some people start collecting goshuin stamps after receiving a goshuin stamp as proof of visiting a shrine or temple associated with a favorite historical figure.
In this way, Goshuin brings us Japanese closer to the gods and Buddha.
Design Evolution and Uniqueness
Recently, more and more shrines and temples are creating goshuin with unique designs, such as depicting seasonal flowers and scenery, or adding cutouts. There are also rare goshuin that are only available for a limited time or season, and one of the attractions is that you can enjoy a special feeling.
Another good thing about the red stamp is that the texture of the letters and the color of the seal change depending on the writer.
In other words, when you visit a shrine or temple, no two stamps are the same. A goshuin can truly be called a "one of a kind" in the world.
Why collect Goshuin ?
A Journey of Discovery and Connection
The joy of collecting Red Seals lies in the adventure of visiting beautiful Japanese temples and shrines and obtaining a Red Seal that is a unique work of art for each location.
Each red seal symbolizes the history and culture of a place and provides a unique memory and experience for the visitor.
As the collection grows, it also becomes an album that tells the story of a personal journey, and the joy of collecting becomes more than a hobby, but a journey of personal growth and exploration.
Through red seals, travelers connect with the spirit of Japan and build a treasure trove of personal memories.
Reflect on the memories you have of your trip
Looking at a Goshuin is an experience that goes beyond mere collecting. Each red stamp tells the story of a moment when you visited a particular temple or shrine, and each page you turn reminds you of the beauty and serenity of the place or the spirit you felt there.
A Goshuincho is not just a record book, but a book of stories that weaves together the memories of a journey, and each time you look at it, the scenery of the temples and shrines you visited, the people you met, and the emotions you experienced come back to life in your mind.
How to Get a Goshuin Stamp
1. Preparing a Goshuincho
First, prepare a goshuincho. This is a goshuin book that you can get when you visit a shrine or temple. However, some shrines and temples may not handle goshuincho, so be sure to check in advance.
Goshuincho can also be purchased from online stores and stationery shops.
Please note that it is bad manners to put stamps on notebooks or memo pads.
2. Visit a Shrine
A goshuin is proof that you have visited a shrine. Therefore, it is not a good idea to receive a stamp without visiting the shrine. It is important to visit the shrine properly. I want to make sure that I don't forget the original meaning of receiving a Goshuin stamp.
3. Paying the Stamp Fee
After visiting the shrine, go to the shrine office called, 授与所, and get your goshuin stamped. Open the page you want to write on, hand over the stamp book, and pay when you receive the stamps.
It is not strictly necessary to write the date of your visit in your red seal book. It depends on the use and purpose of the goshuincho. Some people may prefer to write the date and time of their visit in their red seal book and consider it important, while others may not. In general, writing the date and time of a visit to a place of worship is a good way to commemorate a visit to that place, so that when you look back on it later, you will have a clearer memory of that time.
By the way, it is said that 300 to 500 yen is a desirable amount to give.
It's fun to try to make your own Goshuin book, the only one in the world!