November 24, 2019
by Yuki Fujimoto, Sena Yagi and Misaki Kodama
What is a Goshuin?
Goshuin is a stamp which is written by the priest of a shrine or a temple. It is a kind of evidence that a person visited the shrine or the temple and we can get a goshuin from both shrines and temples. Goshuin includes the date of the visit, the name of the shrine or the temple, the name of gosonzo and name of gosaijin. Gosonzo is a statue of a Buddha. Gosaijin is the enshrined Buddha in the shrine or temple. Goshuin is not a stamp which everyone can get, so it’s special. There are numerous variations of goshuin in recent years. However, people who collect them may have a purpose beyond that of collecting the stamps for their own sake. Some visitors collect the stamps as part of a pilgrimage to a shrine or temple.
Goshuin have existed since the early Edo Period (1603 – 1868) and as such they are part of Japan’s cultural traditions. The origin of goshuin was as a sign that someone enshrined a shakyo. Shakyo is a handwritten copy of a Buddha sutra. So even now there are shrines and temples which don’t allow visitors to receive a goshuin without having enshrined shakyo. But a lot of shrines and temples accept the request of casual visitors. Besides, there are shrines and temples which offer goshuin for 300 yen, 500 yen or 2000 yen. In some cases, a shrine or a temple doesn’t charge a set amount of money for it but have a message saying, “Please, donate your goodwill.”
Some shrines and temples write two or three goshuin designs, not only one. And when shrines and temples will hold an event, they make a special one, just for that occasion.
Goshuin is written by a priest of the shrine or the temple and some people think it is just a stamp, but it is considered to be the very existence of a Buddha. So goshuin has a similar effect to a charm and people who receive the goshuin lay it up in lavender.
Some Goshuin (stampbook)
Temple 【 Konkai komyo-ji temple 】
【Top right】The meaning is “worship with sincerity”.
【Center】The red stamp is the sonzo of the temple and the temple’s name is written on it.
【Bottom left】It is the temple’s name stamp and the temple’s name is written on it.
【Free space】It is the date when you visited the temple.
Shrine 【Ebisu shrine】
【Top right】The meaning is “worship with sincerity”.
【Center】It is the shrine’s name stamp and the shrine’s name is written on it.
【Free space】It is the date when you visited the shrine.
How to receive a goshuin.
If you are interested in collecting stamps, you will need to know proper etiquette for getting them.
At first, prepare a Goshuin. Recently, these Goshuincho (red seal books) can be bought in various places. The internet or temples are selling original Goshuincho. The designs are also various so it’s also possible to choose a design of a Goshuincho that you enjoy or find appealing. Although it is rare for someone to try to get a temple stamp in an ordinary notebook, nonetheless we want to caution visitors against this. Using an ordinary notebook or other paper is considered an impolite act, so you will be declined to receive a Goshuin.
Then, you can get a Goshuin at the shrine office.
Please speak to Shinto priest and priestess by saying, in Japanese, “Goshuin wo onegaishimasu.” ( A Goshuin, please.)
If it is a large shrine, there may be a designated place that visitors can get Goshuin or, you may be given numbered ticket. If it is a small shrine, you may ring an intercom.
The usual price of Goshuin is \300. However, there are places which may charge less or more.
A Goshuin and the price of the other items from shrines ( likea charm and charm card etc.) are called HATSUHO RYO (a charge of the first ears of rice) at a shrine.
How to get Goshuin.
This is how people worship at a Shrine.
1 Make a bow toward the Torii.
2 Wash your hands at Chozusha (building for cleaning hands and rising mouth)
3 Throw money at the worship hall (haiden)
4 Clasp your hands together.
How to worship at a Temple.
1 Make a bow toward the Sanmon gate (temple gate)
2 Wash your hands at Chozusha (building for cleaning hands and rising mouth)
3 Throw money at the It is the date when you visited (main temple building)
4 Clasp your hands together.
When paying a visit to a shrine or temple to get a Goshuin, please follow this guide to good manners.
1 Turn off your mobil phone.
2 Take your hat off in front of the God and Buddha.
3 You can’t got Goshuin if a chief priest or priests are busy.
This is usually not be unreasonable, someone may tell you what time they are available, so you should match your time with theirs.
4 You should be punctual at the reception time.
In most places, reception time finishes at 4 or 5 o’clock. Also there may close for lunch time. If this is the case, you should not be unreasonable.
5 You should prepare the Goshuin book.
6 Be quiet when they write the Goshuin. And don’t talk the others, Do not talk them, Do not use your Mobil phone and you should set silent mode.
7 You should say thank you to them when you get the Goshuin.
8 Keep the Goshuin Book carefully
Recommended goshuin in Kyoto
・Konkaikomyoji (金戒光明寺)
Konkaikomyoji is in Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto City. We can receive 5 types of 
goshuin and an original goshuincho. We can usually stroll inside the temple grounds for free, but we have to pay the entrance fee when the temple has a special festival or an event.
Access
Konkaikomyoji is open to the public from 9:00 am to 16:00 pm. It takes about 40 minutes by Kyoto city bus to Okazaki-michi from North side of Kyoto Station.
Address: 121 Kurotanicho, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Website: http://www.kurodani.jp/
Phone: 075-771-2204
・Ebisu shrine (ゑびす神社)
Ebisu shrine is in Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto City. The Ebisu Buddha is a patron of success in business. The Buddha has fishing rods in his right hand and holds a red porgy fish under his left arm. So the shrine’s goshuin is stamped with a red porgy pattern.
Access
Ebisu shrine is open to the public from 9:00 am to 17:00 pm. Times open to the public can be changed for special events. It takes about 20 minutes by Kyoto city bus to Kawaramachi-matsubara from North side of Kyoto Station.
Address: 125 Yamato-oji-dori-shijo-kudaru-komatsucho, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto
Website: http://www.kyoto-ebisu.jp/
Phone: 075-525-0005