Tanya Brittain

Topic

Seals, Script, and Sacred Sites: A Study of Goshuin 御朱印 in Modern Japan

Department of Pacific and Asian Studies

Date & location

• Tuesday, April 9, 2024
• 3:00 P.M.
• Virtual Defence

Examining Committee

Supervisory Committee

• Dr. Cody Poulton, Department of Pacific and Asian Studies, University of Victoria (Supervisor)
• Dr. Martin Adam, Department of Pacific and Asian Studies, UVic (Member)

External Examiner

• Dr. Chris Goto-Jones, Department of Philosophy, UVic

Chair of Oral Examination

• Dr. Stephen Evans, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, UVic

Abstract

Goshuin, or “revered vermilion seals,” are a dynamic part of Japanese religious and cultural heritage, yet they have received limited scholarly attention, particularly in English-language literature. This research project aims to fill this gap by examining the history, significance, and practice of giving and receiving goshuin among a network of influential religious sites between 1600-1912, with a focus on the Kansai region including (mainly) Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka. It argues that while the Meiji government (1868-1912) attempted to separate Buddhism and Shintō, talismanic practices persisted, indicating a continuity of religious traditions.

The research employs multidisciplinary methodologies, including digital humanities, anthropology, history, and religious studies, to explore the function, materiality, and categorization of goshuin within the broader framework of talismanic traditions, and to investigate the social, spiritual, and historical dimensions of goshuin in modern Japan. By collecting goshuin, mapping their distribution, creating a digital archive, and analyzing their cultural context, this research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of modern Japanese religious practices and challenge simplified terminologies currently used in English language academia: I argue that goshuin are not merely “pilgrim stamps.” I further argue against using words like “occult,” “supernatural,” and “kawaii,” that have also been utilized in the scant English-language discussion of goshuin.

Fieldwork carried out in Japan over two summers involved collecting over ninety goshuin from over fifty-five different sites counting thirty-eight temples (including Zen, Nichiren, and Jodo) and seventeen shrines, across Western Japan, engaging with academics, and observing temple and shrine practices. Through archival research, and engagement with scholars and shrine and temple staff, this study uncovers the enduring continuity of goshuin despite significant historical upheavals, such as the Meiji Restoration's (1868) impact on Japanese religiosity. By shedding light on goshuin, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of modern Japanese religious practices and challenges generalized, Eurocentric, and dubious taxonomies being peddled in English.

By calling into question overtly simplistic terms, and by highlighting the talismanic attributes of goshuin, this research offers a nuanced understanding of their role as objects of protection, blessing, and spiritual connection. Ultimately, this study contributes to a deeper appreciation of goshuin as integral elements of Japan's religious and cultural heritage, bridging the past with the present and inviting further exploration into their multifaceted magnitude.