The Scent of Ink and a Quiet, Cool Breeze: My Love of Shrines, Temples, and Goshuin

When work gets stressful or my mind feels cluttered, I often head to a shrine or temple, usually on my own.

There is something special about the cool, crisp, almost solemn air. As I walk slowly along the approach at my own pace, I feel my mind clearing. For me, visiting shrines and temples is the best way to reset.

The architecture is wonderful, of course, but the purification fountains and goshuin are a big part of the charm too. After the pandemic, I discovered "hana-temizu," where flowers float in the water of the fountain. I was so taken by how pretty they are that I sometimes plan a trip just to see them.

A goshuin is a stamp and calligraphy that you receive as proof of your visit to a shrine or temple. It is said to have originated from the practice of copying Buddhist sutras and offering them to a temple, in return for a seal as proof. Later, during the Edo period, pilgrimages became popular, and the custom spread across the country. Unlike an ordinary stamp, a goshuin is hand-written in ink, then finished with a red seal. The name of the shrine or temple and the date are added, so each one becomes a keepsake of your connection with the place. I think it is a wonderful part of Japanese culture.

I truly love the smell of the ink. Every shrine and temple has its own style, and I enjoy watching my goshuin book fill up. The calligraphy is often so beautiful that I find myself wishing I could write like that.

Sometimes I collect goshuin around a theme. I have visited Kamakura and Kyoto so many times that I have been to almost all of the famous temples. Even at lesser-known temples, I always find something charming if I take the time to look, and that is part of the fun.

Recently, I often see visitors from overseas walking around shrines and temples with their own goshuin books. It makes me happy to see how well the custom has caught on.

If you are learning Japanese, I would love to talk with you about goshuin and Japanese culture. I also offer a casual 15-minute free talk lesson. Please stop by if you are interested!