About Goshuincho (Stamp Books)
The “Goshuincho Tour” is popular among those who enjoy visiting temples and shrines or traveling.
A goshuin is a stamped seal impression given at a shrine or temple as proof of your visit. In other words, it is a “record of your connection with the divine.” A goshuincho is the booklet used to collect these seals.
With the recent boom in goshuin tours, shrines and temples offering cute goshuin have become a hot topic, and many varieties of goshuincho with unique designs are now available. However, the history of the goshuincho itself is rarely discussed.
In this article, we will introduce the lesser-known history of goshuincho as well as the basic way to use one.
The History of Goshuincho
A goshuin is essentially a “certificate” of having visited a shrine or temple.
Typically, it includes the temple’s or shrine’s seal and name, the name of the deity or Buddha enshrined, and the date of the visit. But why did this practice begin? While there are various theories about the origin of goshuin, here is one of them.
During the Muromachi period, pilgrims known as “Rokujurokubukaikoku Hijiri” (the Pilgrims of the Sixty-Six Provinces) traveled around Japan as a form of ascetic practice.
They copied the Lotus Sutra 66 times and dedicated one copy to a representative temple in each of the 66 provinces (excluding Iki and Tsushima). Through this arduous practice of sutra copying and pilgrimage, they sought merit for the expiation of sins.
At that time, temples issued a document called a “Nokyo Uketorijo” (receipt of sutra dedication) as proof of receiving the copied sutras. This is considered one of the earliest forms of goshuin.
Later, in the Edo period, the “Nokyocho” (sutra dedication book) was created.
This shifted from the previous style of dedicating sutras and receiving receipts, to writing the temple’s name in ink and stamping it in red. The “Nokyocho” is very similar to the goshuin we know today and can be considered its direct ancestor.
Interestingly, the modern practice of stamping goshuin directly into goshuincho seems to have begun only in the Showa era.
Goshuincho ColumnGOSHUINCHO Column
How to Properly Receive a Goshuin
Even if you’ve prepared your favorite goshuincho, you might wonder, “How do I actually receive a goshuin?” Don’t worry—it’s simple. Here’s a quick guide for beginners:
① When you arrive at the shrine or temple, first offer your prayers.
② Once you’ve finished your greetings, go to request the goshuin.
③ At shrines, goshuin are typically given at the “Goshuin Reception” or “Office.” At temples, it is usually at the “Temple Office.”
Even if you don’t have a goshuincho, many large shrines and temples sell them on-site, so you can purchase one there.
④ Greet politely and say, “May I receive a goshuin here?” while handing over your goshuincho.
At some shrines or temples where staff are not always available, you may receive a pre-prepared goshuin slip instead. If so, be sure to paste it into your goshuincho so it doesn’t get lost.
⑤ Finally, pay the fee for the goshuin.
This varies by shrine or temple, but is generally between 300 and 1,000 yen. Sometimes you may be told “as you wish,” in which case either pay what you feel is appropriate, or use the standard 300–1,000 yen range as a reference.
