8 inch japanese antique kamidana shinto shrine with daikoku

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This Meiji Era, antique kamidana Shinto shrine houses the lucky god, Daikoku. Other lucky gods were often placed on the kamidana (god shelf), along with the Shinto shrine and kamifuda (wood plaque representing the Kami, or god) in the kitchen of old country homes. Daikoku was a good choice for farmers and merchants as he was known as the god of wealth and agriculture.

Candles were lit and daily offerings and prayers for good fortune, prosperity, good health and the happiness of the household were made at the kamidana.

The daikoku god figure is carved from one piece of wood with only a chisel in ittobori style. He carries his magic mallet which indicates that all your wishes will come true. He has a big bag of gold slung over his shoulder, symbolizing wealth and stands on bales of rice representing good fortune.

The wooden houses to display these lucky gods on the kamidana were usually simple and unadorned. This one is made of unlacquered wood, with no doors and a flat roof.

The kamidana shrine is in good antique condition with knocks and bumps that give it the warmth, and lovely rustic feel of Japanese mingei.

- god house measures around 22 cm (8.6”) tall x 15 cm (5.9”) wide x 10 cm (3.9”) deep.
- total weight is 720 gm.

(listing for god house and god only)

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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.

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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.

DAIKOKU
Daikoku is the God of wealth and good fortune, and of farmers and food. He is a cheerful, chubby God, standing on bales of rice. He has a sack of treasure slung over one shoulder and a magic mallet in the other hand. Put him in your home and you will always have good fortune, money and lots of food!

MINGEI
Mingei are the tools and utensils that were used daily by the common people in Japan. They were inexpensive, simple and functional. Usually produced by hand, in large quantities, their artists were anonymous. They became representative of the local area where they were produced.

The word Mingei combines “min” meaning common people and “gei” meaning art - the art of the common people. It was coined by the Japanese philosopher Sōetsu Yanagi. He found beauty in ordinary crafts for daily use and argued that true beauty could be found only in the objects made by unknown people, in a spirit of selfless innocence and in close harmony with nature.