Goshuincho

Where it comes from

The goshuincho grew out of the practice of collecting goshuin, the vermillion seal stamps once given as proof that a person had made an offering or copied a sutra at a temple. Over time the book became a keepsake in its own right, a personal record of the places someone has visited and prayed. Each page carries a stamp pressed in red ink alongside handwritten characters in black, usually naming the temple or shrine and the date.

What to look for

The pages fan out in one continuous accordion fold rather than being bound like an ordinary book, so a finished goshuincho can be opened out in a long ribbon. Covers range from plain cloth to richly patterned brocade, and many temples and shrines sell their own designs featuring a local motif. Some people keep separate books for Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, since the two traditions are distinct.

How to use it

Hand your goshuincho to the office, open to the next blank page, and wait quietly while the seal is written. There is normally a small fee. Treat the book with care, as it is regarded as a devotional object rather than a souvenir, and never ask for a stamp before you have actually paid your respects.