Happy New Year! How's everyone doing?
Today I'm typing out this mini post on something that I had done earlier for my Nov trip earlier.
I had bought myself a temple seal book or known as 御朱印帳 (Go Shuin Chou) to collect stamps of the temples that I had visited.
Here my book:-
Here my book:-
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| Temple Seal Book 朱印帳 - Front and pouch |
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| Temple Seal Book 朱印帳 - Back with personal particulars (Name, Address and contact no.) |
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| Temple Seal Book 朱印帳 - Example |
FAQ
Q : What is temple seal book?
A : It is actually an empty book that one can purchase and collect various temple seals from the temple/shrine that one visit. The book records one's temple pilgrimage around Japan.
Q: Are there different types of temple seal books around?
A: Generally there are 2 types of temple seal books. The traditional book that open up fully from 1 end to another and the western style book like our modern day book that is blinded by the side. As for cover designs, there are plenty to choose from depending on one's budget!
Q : What is a temple seal?
A : A temple seal is hand written sutra or amulet by the temple office staff. 1 temple seal usually will include the date that one visited the temple; the sutra/amulet; temple's given name and formal name.
Q : How should one go around collecting seal?
A : Just bring the temple seal book to the temple office or 納所 (Nassho). Sometimes, famous temple might set up a separate seal office or 御朱印所 (Go-ShuinSho) to specially write seal for temple pilgrimage visitors (i.e. 東大寺 or Toudaiji in Nara, Japan).
Holding the book with both hands below the book and ask while smiling. Most of the temple office will take it from there onwards.
Holding the book with both hands below the book and ask while smiling. Most of the temple office will take it from there onwards.
English request : May I have a temple seal please.
Japanese request :「 ご朱印お願いします。」(Go Shuin Onegaishimasu)
In case, one cannot find 納所 or 御朱印所, try looking for the reception counter or administration office with the following kanji : 拝観受付(Haikan Uketsuke) or 寺務所 (Jimusho). Sometimes, one can get their seal over the temple counter where the amulet are on display. Asking is free :)
Q : What's so special with the temple seal book?
A : As every single seal in the book is hand written, each and every one seal is unique from others. It is consider infinity to own the seal from the temple that one visit. Furthermore, one is not restricted to 1 seal per temple as every seal have their own date.
Q : Should I keep a separate book for Buddhism and Shinto?
A : Nope, it doesn't matter. You can keep them together or separate depending on your own preference.
Japanese request :「 ご朱印お願いします。」(Go Shuin Onegaishimasu)
Q : What's so special with the temple seal book?
A : As every single seal in the book is hand written, each and every one seal is unique from others. It is consider infinity to own the seal from the temple that one visit. Furthermore, one is not restricted to 1 seal per temple as every seal have their own date.
Q : Should I keep a separate book for Buddhism and Shinto?
A : Nope, it doesn't matter. You can keep them together or separate depending on your own preference.
Q : What is the cost for owning the book?
A :It will cost around 1,000 yen onward depending on where one buy it. One can even buy it online via Rakuten or Amazon! I got my book at Meiji Jingu for around 1,300 yen including my 1st seal. Each seal will cost around 300 yen but some of the more famous temples might charge slightly more.
Q: What about the seals on coat?
A: They are generally similar in practice but those Japanese folks who request on seal on their coat are usually on temple pilgrimage tours and stamp on their hat/cost which they wear throughout the journey. One of the famous temple routes is in Shikoku 88 temples.
Q: What about the seals on coat?
A: They are generally similar in practice but those Japanese folks who request on seal on their coat are usually on temple pilgrimage tours and stamp on their hat/cost which they wear throughout the journey. One of the famous temple routes is in Shikoku 88 temples.
For more information in Japanese :
Temple Seal Book and its function
Sample of Temple seal book covers from various temples
Rakuten - Temple Seal Book Online Purchase
Amazon Japan - Temple Seal Book Online Purchase
Sample of Temple seal book covers from various temples
Rakuten - Temple Seal Book Online Purchase
Amazon Japan - Temple Seal Book Online Purchase
Just a slight note that instead of the commemorative stamp found in temple office or heritage sites, one should treat the temple seal book and its seals with utmost respect as the temple seals are like Buddhist/God alter ego. One should not randomly place it anywhere. Ideally a quiet place or an alter with rosary or important things would be a good choice.
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