Let Goshuin Guide You Through Japan

‍If you are heading to Japan, then you will most likely visit a shrine while you are there. Among admiring the beauty of the architecture or possibly, giving a small donation while wishing for a good future and prosperity. What else is there to do there? Often you may notice people queuing up with a little notebook, handing it to one of the priests that work at the temple. What are they doing and why are they all carrying these little notebooks?

These books are goshuinchō, and they are collecting goshuin.

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What are goshuin? 御朱印

Lets first look at the word Goshuin (御朱印), we can break the word down in to two parts “go” and “shuin”.

御　“go” is used as an honorific term that is put in front of a word to make it respectful.

‍朱印　“shuin” means red seal. So goshuin is a red seal which we would refer to respectfully when saying it.

In Japan, all shrines and temples have their own goshuin which belongs to that institution. These can be collected by any one in their goshuinchō (御朱印帳), translated to “book of red seals”

There are a few theories about where collecting goshuin at shrines came from. The most popular is that religious followers would travel to many temples on their pilgrimage to show dedication to their faith. Collecting these stamps would be proof of the journey they have taken, as every shrine has a different image for its seal. Making the book itself become a sort of passport to heaven or the next life.

Nowadays, goshuin are still collected in the same way, however people also collect as a hobby, or a way to look back at the places they have visited in Japan, making it a great souvenir.

Where do I get my goshuinchō‍?

These books vary in size and have many different designs to them. Any shrine or temple you go to, will most likely have their own series of book cover designs.

The front and rear covers are hard and usually covered with a fabric. Goshuinchō can become art in themselves. Colourful fabrics with beautiful woven patterns and images. Floral patterns, scenes of Japan, cultural and historical events, pop culture, even game characters and cute ones that have Hello Kitty images on the front to attract the younger collector. I have seen one with a wooden cover that had a burnt seal and kanji text. The designs are endless.

There are so many styles that choosing one could make the book quite personal to you. Meaning that, you may not see the same one you chose, when meeting other travellers or pilgrims that collect goshuin.

These books can be purchased at any shrine that offer goshuin and usually cost around ¥1000 to ¥2000, it really depends on the size and the design. When buying a book from a shrine or a temple the first page should be stamped there.

Goshuinchō can also be purchased online where you would be able choose from a wider selection as spouses to few designs that you would be given at your first shrine in Japan. However, they are going to be more expensive, some pricing over £100.

Here at Goods Republic you can find a good variety of books to choose from and purchase online.

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Collecting goshuin

If you are travelling around Japan, then always keep it on you. I stumbled across shrines in locations that I was just visiting for reasons other than collecting goshuin. For instance, I was going camping outside of Tokyo. On the journey, on top of a mountain stood a huge Kannon deity statue. At the bottom of the hill was a shrine to collect goshuin. I trekked to the top to see the statue and on my return, I collected my goshuinchō.

Goshuin collection points are usually located in the forecourt of a shrine or temple. You will most likely see a sign with the kanji 御朱印 written above or besides the stand, with someone sitting behind it. Collecting a stamp will often cost a small donation of around ¥300, paid upon receiving back your book.

If you do not see one then you can ask an attendant that works there “goshuin wa arimasu ka?”. Or if you are not sure what to say at all then just present your book to them, they will know what it is and show you where you will go.

Some goshuin stands may be busy depending on how popular the shrine is, so may require you to wait for your book to be signed, they will give you a ticket to collect at a later time. That way you can have a look around the temple grounds, its stunning architecture and design to then collect the book when you are leaving.

If it isn’t busy then they will most likely do it there and then in front of you and don’t mind you are watching them writing in their beautiful calligraphy style. Though the words are often the same at each shrine each priest or staff that writes in the book will have their own handwriting style.

Below is my very first goshuinchō that I received in Nikko, north of Tokyo

Collecting seals doesn’t just stop at a book. They can be placed on hanging scrolls or even, People conducting the Shikoku pilgrimage (四国遍路) can have their white robes (byakue) (白衣) marked with goshuin.

At shrines and temples there are places where you can collect stamps, which you would stamp yourself. You may see them next to an area where you can hang up prayer or wish plaques called Ema (絵馬). Avoid stamping your book with these, as these do not hold the meaning as the goshuin collected from a calligrapher. You may possibly receive a word or two from the next priest that goes to sign your book.

With so much to do and see in Japan.  Along with so many things to buy, to take back to show family and friends. goshuin could be the perfect souvenir, it will encourage you to travel further than you expected if you were just wanting to stay in a city. However if staying in any major, a goshuinchō could easily be filled with the amount of shrines and temples that can be found while getting around.

The memories that it will have of your travels will be great as you would have had to definitely travel around to collect them. Take a photo of the temple and shrine you went to, along with noting down its name or location. In addition to collecting stamps, why not take a photo of each temple you visit so you can have a picture reference to each stamp to relive those memories of your travel.

If the book is fully spread from one end to another and framed, it would make an awesome piece of artwork for any wall in the house or office