Customer testimony:
"Hello, I just received the kamidana.
it is wonderful. I'm very happy with the quality of your service. it is more
than perfect. see you soon." - Alex P.
Item purchased: Inari Kamidana Set - Japan Shinto Shrine + Accessories
"This is a most beautiful home temple.
I am very satisfied with the transaction" - Frank H.
Item purchased: 15.6" Japan Kamidana God Shelf - Wooden Shinto Zushi
"Very nice. Great price compared to same item at
other sites! Quick Shipping!" -Michael M.
Item purchased: Inari Kamidana Set - Japan Shinto Shrine + Accessories
Description
Brand new wooden Japanese Shinto kamidana "god shelf".
This type of small Shinto (native religion of Japan) shrine is commonly used in Japan by families or even
organizations and business to symbolically house the group's patron deity.
Kamidana will normally be placed in conspicuous view on a shelf or high
wall within an important room such as the family room or in an area where
employees or associates work or gather. Kamidana are also used to
house sacred tablets called
ofuda (lit "honorable plaque") which are inscribed with written
prayers and sanctified by a priest. Kamidana are normally not just
for show and will commonly receive regular attention from those who live or
operate within its sphere of influence. With my wife's (Japanese) family
for instance, the two kamidana within their home do receive offerings
twice daily; once in the morning and again in the evening before supper.
The ritual is always the same, and anyone who wakes up early enough might enjoy
watching mother as she takes the first scoops of rice from the cooker and gives
these, along with several clear glasses of water, to her husband who delivers
the offerings, along with a solemn prayer, to each of the home's kamidana
as well as to their home's small Buddhist altar (butsudan).
Kamidana (aka zushi) are basically small versions of larger Shinto shrines called Jinja,
which are found at the heart of every Japanese community as well as areas of
spiritual significance and to mark important natural features such as waterfalls
and even the tops of mountains. Please read below to learn more about
Japanese Shinto shrines.
About the Listed Item
The brand new wooden kamidana offered here features expert craftsmanship and
classic Japanese style, with detailed architectural touches and durable
brass-colored plastic fittings. The shrine includes double doors providing
access to a small sanctuary where
ofuda and other appropriate religious items may be placed.
Please refer to the size chart below for links to listings for different sizes
and styles of kamidana. And please click
here to see blessed ofuda tablets to use with your kamidana!
Additional Styles of Kamidana (click link to view available listings):
Size:
Height (base to top of roof ornaments): 15.6 inches (40.0 centimeters)
Width (across roof gables): 14.0 inches (36.0 centimeters)
Depth (measured at base): 7.0 inches (18.0 centimeters)
Weight: 2.4 pounds (1.1 kilograms)
Important Note:
Please be sure to note the shipping cost for this large and heavy wooden shrine.
Shipment is via international Express Mail Service (EMS) which included a
tracking number and full value insurance.
Click
here
to see sanctified Shinto ofuda tablets!
Click
here
to see additional Shinto items!
Click
here
to see more treasures from Japan!
About Japanese Shinto Shrines
At the heart and spiritual center of every Japanese city, town and village
are well preserved wooded plots of land which are the sanctuary of Japan's
native deities. These places, which are called Jinja in Japanese,
will invariably include one or more shrines where believers can worship and
offer prayers to the gods. Jinja,
and the grounds upon which they reside are used not just for worship, but also
as a place for community events, festivals and even as playgrounds. Most
shrines typically consist of a large patch of wooded ground with a
gate-like structure called a torii providing passage from the secular
world into the spiritual. Fierce stone dog statues (one is actually a
lion) called
komainu stand guard along a stone path leading from the
torii to the foot of the shrine complex. Before reaching the shrine,
visitors will normally stop to rinse their hands and mouth at a stone water
basin (chozubachi) provided for this purpose. This is done as an
act of purification before coming into the presence of the resident deity.
Upon reaching the actual shrine one must typically then ascent a short staircase
to a platform where worship may be performed. Looking through the
large structure's open doors one might spot a second, more secluded building visible
beyond the first. This other building is the actual shrine itself and the
true residence of the enshrined deity. Legend holds that any who
improperly enter the inner-sanctuary will be blinded by the magnificent power
residing therein, and for this reason most Japanese are happy to pay their
respects from the safety of the doorway of the outermost building. Large Japanese
Shinto shrines often have numerous smaller shrines located elsewhere on the
shrine grounds. These smaller structures are often only slightly larger
than a doll house and are the symbolic homes of lesser deities who are perhaps
in some way associated with the god of the main shrine.
More photos below!
product code: INV-0000062 REL-0000313 Ship: Med
category code: (nippon_kamidana)
ship code: MED