Traditions to visiting the Buddist Temple's & Shrines

Almost every temple & shrine in Japan has what they call "goshuin" ごしゅいん。Each Temple has it's own goshuin (red-seal stamp and caligraphy kanji) and they are unique drawings of the Kanji character that represents what the temple is famous for or what they are know for. Each of these pieces are unique and hand-written with several red-seals that represent the symbol of the shrine. It is quite fasinating and beautiful....and great collections of Art, History and Buddhist traditions in Japan.



Making the goshuin. Photo of making the caligraphy kanji and seal. They sell special books for them, you can purchase at the temple and start collecting.



Variations on goshuin seen below.


My friend Midori told me about this and now I'm a collector.。。。