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antique kamidana shinto shrine - folk faith rustic decor

antique kamidana shinto shrine - folk faith rustic decor

Regular price ¥33,120 JPY
Regular price Sale price ¥33,120 JPY
Sale Sold out
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Love Japanese Style Like We Do

Bring a piece of history into your home with this old Shinto folk faith shrine, perfect for creating a sacred space on your own kamidana (god shelf) or within your home. Exuding a delightful rustic charm it is ideal for collectors or those seeking serenity, and will certainly enhance your home's spiritual atmosphere. 

Kamidana became popular in common households in the middle of the Edo period (1603-1867), when the Shinto priests of Ise-jingu Shrine, wanting to spread their beliefs, distributed Ofuda or paper charms considered to be imbued with the power of the shrine’s revered deity. Households needed somewhere to pray to the ofuda, resulting in the development of the kamidana.

The kamidana was made up of two parts, the shelf and the small shrine in which to house the ofuda. The small shrines had either one or three doors each with their special way to arrange the ofuda.

This simple folk faith shrine was sourced from a traditional Japanese minka, or country farm house. It is a tall thin piece with quite a shallow depth as the kamidana shelves in old minka were quite narrow. It has one opening with two doors, locked at the front with a decorative metal rotating hook. Similar etched metal pieces embellish the upper and lower edges of the doors. The slanted slightly concave roof is made up of thin wood slats.

The one opening was just the perfect space for the Ise Jingu ofuda symbolizing Amaterasu Ominokami. Again, three ofuda, the ofuda of Ise-jingu Shrine, the ofuda of the local guardian god, and the ofuda of the worshippers shrine could have be bundled together in this order and placed behind the doors.

The shrine is hand crafted from a light Japanese cypress wood. It has the darkened patina of age and the wonderful rustic feel of Japanese mingei. It is in good structural condition for its age, with minimal damage. There is a crack in the top slat in the upper left corner of the roof, not distracting from its appeal.

- measures around 29 cm (11.4”) across x 38 cm (15”) tall x 12 cm (4.7”)  wide.
- weighs 760 gm

(listing for kamidana shrine only)

SHIPPING INFORMATION
- please our shipping notes in shipping policy.
- we use recycle packaging wherever possible and wrap for safety, rather than appearance!

ABOUT OUR VINTAGE, ANTIQUE AND OTHER ITEMS
We list pieces we feel are worthy of display. There may be scratches, dents, fading and signs of wear and tear. We try to explain the condition of each item exactly, but may miss something.

Information regarding the item and it’s age is obtained from dealers and our personal research. We do our best to give you the correct information but please be aware that we cannot guarantee this information.

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KAMIDANA
Kamidana, literally god shelf, or sacred shelf, are miniature household altars used to place an enshrined Shinto kami (god). Paper talismen, kamifuda and amulets, issued by the major Shinto shrines, were enshrined for worship to the kami. They became popular in traditional country style minka houses.

Small shrines for tutelary deities, inside a residence, go back to ancient times among the aristocracy. The  emergence of the kamidana  was closely connected with the development of the domestic Buddhist altar or butsudan,  which started the movement of conducting religious rituals in each household. 

Kamidana were initially set up to keep Jingu Onusa, charms of the Grand Shrine of Ise, when they began to be widely distributed at the end of the Muromachi period. The Jingu Onusa symbolized Amaterasu Omikami and were considered objects of worship. A special domestic shelf, to respect these charms, was installed and was called Jingu no tana, or shelf of the Grand Shrine. By the  mid-Edo era, the institution of the kamidana had spread to most homes as a result of the spread of this Ise cult.

The  most common style of kamidana was a plain board forming a shelf,  supported by cantilevered brackets from beneath, or stabilized with timber hangers, suspended from the beams above. On this shelf a miniature Shinto shrine was installed to contain the kamifuda. This shrine could be  elaborate in design, but unlike the miniature shrine cabinet, or zushi, of the Buddhist altar, the timber was unlacquered. The kamifuda enshrined was that of a clan deity or came from one of the major national shrines.

Kamidana were most often located in a high place, thought to be closest to the heavens and gods, in an area close to an earth floor.  As old country kitchens had an earth floor and were a place where many people gathered, they were perfect for the kamidana and prayer. Candles were lit and offerings of rice, fruit, fish, rice and wine were made daily. 

Particularly in the homes of farmers, fishermen, merchants and other craftsmen, additional deities with combined Shinto and Buddhist identities found their way to the kamidana. Ebisu and Daikoku-dana were popular.  Ebisu, the god of fishing and Daikoku, the god of farming, were particular favorites amongst country folk,  whose livelihood depended on agriculture and the ocean. Ebisu and Daikoku were often housed together in a special shrine with a rounded roof, and came to be known as the kitchen gods. Kojin-dana was another popular choice. Kojin was the god of domestic tranquility and good fortune. Inari-dana were also seen. Inari is the Japanese Shinto god who watches over and protects the rice harvest.  A temporary toshitoku-dana was set up in almost all homes at the end of the year to welcome and worship the kami of the New Year.

Old Kamidana shrines are a wonderful example of Japanese mingei; a spiritual tool that reminds us of culture and customs of the past.

 

 

 

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