1.
red seal; vermillion stamp
Refers to both historical official seals and modern temple/shrine stamps.
朱印をいただけますか。
May I receive a red seal stamp?
この神社の朱印は美しいデザインだ。
The red seal stamp at this shrine has a beautiful design.
旅行中に十か所の寺で朱印を集めた。
I collected red seal stamps from ten temples during my trip.
朱印帳を忘れてしまったので、書き置きをもらった。
I forgot my stamp book, so I received a pre-written one.
A red ink stamp given at Japanese temples and shrines as proof of a pilgrim's visit. Collecting these in a dedicated book (朱印帳) has become extremely popular in recent years, both among religious visitors and tourists.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 朱印帳: red seal stamp book
- 朱印をもらう: to receive a red seal stamp
- 朱印巡り: pilgrimage to collect stamps
- 御朱印: red seal stamp (honorific form, very common)
CULTURAL NOTES:
The honorific form 御朱印 is more commonly used in everyday speech. Each stamp typically includes the temple or shrine name, the date, and a hand-brushed calligraphy element, making each one unique. The practice dates back centuries when pilgrims received stamps as proof of copying sutras. Today most places charge 300-500 yen per stamp.
HISTORICAL USAGE:
In the Edo period, 朱印状 referred to official documents bearing the shogun's red seal, granting trade privileges or land rights.