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kobukai
16th July 2007, 01:31
Could anyone tell me what the kanji on this piece says.

Thanks much.
Russ

Gusta in Japan
16th July 2007, 02:46
Go shin zen
This is used in the Kamidana.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamidana

Yoiur post title asked for translation but maybe you wanted the reading so that is what it says.

Brian Owens
11th October 2007, 11:30
Go shin zen
This is used in the Kamidana.
If this is a picture of the Shinto sasaki tate (vase for evergreen sprig used on kamidana), wouldn't the first two characters use the kun reading "O-kami" rather than the on reading "Go Shin"?

mosb
11th October 2007, 12:45
http://www.kyohana.jp/mame.html
According to this site it reads as "goshinzen".

Something along the lines of the meaning comes from making offerings to the gods but can be used in general/other religious rituals.

Someone else can probably provide a better explanation.


Regards

Li Bao

Josh Reyer
11th October 2007, 14:10
It is indeed read "goshinzen". On-readings are not uncommon in Shinto. Indeed, Shinto itself is an on-reading, as is jinja (shrine) and jinguu (major shrine).

神前 shinzen means "before kami", the go- prefix is an exalting honorific. In this case, the meaning is essentially "to the kami", and indicates that the content of the vessel is an offering (being placed in a kamidana).