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large antique kamidana shinto shrine - folk faith rustic decor
large antique kamidana shinto shrine - folk faith rustic decor
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Love Japanese Style Like We Do
A wonderful antique folk art kamidana shrine that exudes a beautiful rustic charm, sure to add a touch of serenity to your living space. Crafted with intricate details and a timeless aesthetic, it is perfect for collectors or those with a love for unique decor. Bring a piece of spiritual history into your home with this conversation starter.
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 shrines’s revered deity. Households needed somewhere to pray to the ofuda, resulting in the development of the kamidana.
The kamidana is 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 impressive folk faith shrine was sourced from an old Japanese minka, or country farm house, in Ibaraki Prefecture. It is a larger piece but is quite shallow in depth as the kamidana shelves in old minka were rather narrow. It has three openings in which the ofuda of the local guardian god, the ofuda of Ise-jingu Shrine, symbolizing Amaterasu Ominokami and the ofuda of worshipper’s shrine would have been placed.
It is hand crafted from a light Japanese cypress wood and is embellished with simple cut-outs at the sides, on the two side doors and below the roof. It has the darkened patina of age and the wonderful rustic feel of Japanese mingei.
The shrine is in good structural condition for its age, with minimal damage. One small decorative circle is missing on the side above the right door, and a few small slats of wood are missing from under the large roof and the smaller roof above the center door, not distracting from its appeal.
- measures around 64 cm (25.2”) across x 56 cm (22”) tall x 18 cm (7”) wide.
- weighs 2,130 gm
(listing for kamidana shrine only)
SHIPPING INFORMATION
- please read our shipping notes in shipping policy.
- we use recycle packaging wherever possible and wrap for safety, rather than appearance!
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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.
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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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