View source for Shuin

{{Short description|Seal stamp given to worshippers and visitors to Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Japan}}
{{for|the Japanese merchant sailing ships|Red seal ships}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Expand Japanese|topic=struct}}
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{{Shinto Talismans|image=[[File:Sikokuɵɵkakeziku.jpg|200px|thumb|A stampbook with tons of shuin]]}}

A {{nihongo|'''shuin'''|[[Wiktionary:朱印|朱印]]}}, also called "'''Go-shuin''' (御朱印)" as an [[Honorific_speech_in_Japanese|honorific]], is a seal stamp given to worshippers and visitors to [[Shinto shrine]]s and [[Buddhist temples in Japan|Buddhist temples]] in [[Japan]]. The seal stamps are often collected in books called {{nihongo|''shuinchō''|朱印帳}} that are sold at shrines and temples.<ref name=powerspot>{{cite book|title=開運ご利益東京・下町散歩: スカイツリー周辺・下町・江戶パワースポット|year=2011|isbn=978-4056064513|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fWFRMYi6JggC&q=%E6%9C%B1%E5%8D%B0%E3%80%80%E3%81%8A%E5%AF%BA&pg=PA50|author1=学研パブリッシング・編|publisher=学研パブリッシング }}</ref>

The stamps are different from commemorative stamps in that they are made by people who work at the shrines or temples: Shinto ''[[Kannushi]] or Buddhist [[Bhikkhu|Hōshi]]''. To create the shuin, the writer presses down one or more large stamps, and then uses black ink to write, in their [[Japanese calligraphy|distinctive calligraphy]], the day of the visit, the name of the shrine or temple, as well as sometimes the names of the relevant [[Kami]] or [[Buddhist deities]], and other messages.

There are various theories about the origin of shuin, though the strongest is that it was a receipt for a dedicated [[Sutra copying|copied sutra]]. There are still temples where one cannot receive a shuin without having donated a sutra or money, but the majority of temples will now accept a small amount of money for a shuin. It usually costs 300 yen,<ref name=ichinomiya>{{cite book|title=全国「一の宮」徹底ガイド|year=2007|isbn=978-4569669304|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=72U6AkIGRacC&q=%E6%9C%B1%E5%8D%B0%E3%80%80%E3%81%8A%E5%AF%BA&pg=PA1|author1=恵美嘉樹|publisher=PHP研究所 }}</ref> though there are some places that charge up to 1000 yen.<ref name=chunichi>{{cite news|title=専用色紙に朱印もらおう 津で「七福神めぐり」|url=http://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/mie/20121204/CK2012120402000024.html|access-date=24 December 2012|newspaper=Chunichi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221001620/http://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/mie/20121204/CK2012120402000024.html|archive-date=21 February 2013}}</ref>

As shuin are given at both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, there is some discussion as to whether stamps from both shrines and temples can be written in the same ''shuinchō''.<ref>[https://xn--wlrp7z7zf.jp/goshuin_sanpo/archives/84 "FAQ - Can I mix stamps from temples and shrines in one stamp book?"] retrieved May 31 2024 </ref> While ultimately a matter of personal preference, there are rare instances in which a shrine or temple may refuse to write a shuin if the ''shuinchō'' contains [[shinbutsu bunri|both Buddhist and Shinto stamps]].<ref>[http://ezojinjya.jp/s7arkr20gsi.html) "Before collecting the stamps at Ezogashima Shrine"] retrieved May 31 2024</ref>

Special ''shuinchō'' (and occasionally hanging scrolls) are available for people who do pilgrimages such as the [[Kansai Kannon Pilgrimage]] and the [[Shikoku Pilgrimage]]. People who do the Shikoku Pilgrimage can also get shuin on the white robes they sometimes wear.

A number of [[Jōdo Shinshū]] temples do not offer shuin, in order to discourage the practice of visiting for the sake of only collecting shuin.<ref>{{cite web|title=朱印をしない理由|url=http://www.higashihonganji.or.jp/sermon/leaflet/02.html|access-date=24 December 2012}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Saiɡokuɜɜ0ɨ.jpg|shuinchō (朱印帳)
File:Shuin being made in Zentsuji - Kagawa - 2021 April 1.webm|Shuin being made in [[Zentsū-ji]], [[Kagawa Prefecture|Kagawa]]
File:Noukyoutyo.jpg|kasane-in (重ね印)
File:Byakue.jpg|byakue (白衣)
File:Omie01a.jpg|miei (御影)
File:Kinensanɡe.jpg|sange (散華)
File:写真.jpg|mangan (満願の証)
File:大蓮寺.jpg|A shuin from Dairen-ji (大蓮寺)
File:Tohorenɡyou.jpg|pilgrimage
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Buddhism topics}}
{{Shinto shrine}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shuin}}
[[Category:Temples in Japan]]
[[Category:Shinto religious objects]]
[[Category:Buddhist symbols]]


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