GOSHUIN
Goshuin 御朱印 could be budget-friendly Japanese souvenirs and collectable pieces of Japanese culture. For me, it all started three years ago while visiting Nara. More precisely, the Todai-ji, the eastern great temple, opened in 752. Unesco listed the main hall, Hondo 本堂, as, until 1998—the world’s largest wooden building.
THE ORIGINS
According to the legend Gyoki, the monk wanted to unify Shintoism and Buddhism, so he spent seven days and nights reciting sutras. Until the oracle declared Vairocana Buddha compatible with worship of the sun goddess Amaterasu. At the same time, the emperor had a lot of misfortunes, so he asked Gyoki to organise the construction of the temple.
FIRST ENCOUNTER
That day, I left home early to avoid the crowd. Early morning in a temple, the monks were chanting some sutras, the incense burners were lit, and the light was dimmed … It almost felt the gaze of the Daibutsu on me.From the corner of my eyes, my attention was attracted by some people queuing in front of a small booth labelled (御朱印所 Goshuinjo).
THE MAKING OF
Each person was holding open what seemed to be a small book. One by one, they lay the book in front of a Bhikkhu (Buddhist monk). He was in his sixties, dressed in traditional orange clothes and holding a brush charged with black ink. Then, he traced some kanjis on the white paper with ease and fluidity before carefully applying a vermilion stamp on the top. The grace of the strokes and the duality between black and red were striking, and I was hooked. Later, I learned that each temple or shrine has its design. If you are interested, the cost is 500 yen. You can buy the book (御朱印帳 Goshuincho) on the spot (1000-2000 yen).Look for one of the following signs written in kanji:
At temples: Goshuinjo (御朱印所), Shuinjo (朱印所) or Noukyoujo (納経所)
At shrines: Goshuinjo (御朱印所), Juyojo (授与所) or Shamusho (社務所)
They were initially given as proof that a person had copied the sutra in devotion practice at a particular time and place.
OKASAKI SHRINE
Rabbit deities are said to help worshippers conceive or ensure that their baby is born healthy.On a crisp sunny day, I got off bus 32 in front of Okazaki Park, a 5-minute walk from Heian Shrine. After ten more minutes of walking with the help of Google Maps, I reached my goal.
Once you pass through the Tori, the surrounding trees are muffling the sound of the traffic. Leaving place to the sound of my footsteps on the pebbles, the chirping of the birds, the ringing of the bell and hands clapping by the worshipper in prayer. If you like Kawai things, that is the right place for you. Plenty of adorable rabbit statues are sitting everywhere. Look at the scarlet rabbit stamp on the Goshuin.
MIKANE SHRINE
Mikane Shrine was fascinating on a different level. It is where you go when you want to become rich, which explains the high number of people queuing. To the point where a KB in uniform was regulating the traffic in the narrow street. I encountered this place when I took a wrong turn, searching for a Wagashi shop.
Stuck between buildings was a small, unusual shrine with a golden Tori ( They are almost always red or grey); there wasn’t any greenery around.
The Goshuin was pre-made on paper to stick in your Goshuincho and costs 1000 yen, although the golden ink is remarkable.
100 YEN SHOP
The idea of selling all items at the same low price dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868). The first 100 yen shop in modern form opened in 1985. The first Daiso came about in 1991. The largest store covers 980m2. You will find items from China and Thailand but also some made-in-Japan products.
As of 2023, there are reportedly about 9000 Hyakkin shops nationwide. They are part of the Japanese way of life. Inside, you will find a myriad of ideas for budget-friendly Japanese souvenirs.