［Kyogen］In the hands of visitors, bestowing sacred designs: Gift bags of Hida Ichinomiya Minashi Shrine

As the year-end approaches and the enthusiasm for New Year preparations rises, it is an appropriate time to welcome the new year from Kyogen, a heraldic artist who traditional techniques of drawing family crests as a Monsho-uwaeshi while elevating them into the realms of design and art.

As the new year arrives, many people may visit shrines and temples for their first prayers, seeking health and tranquility for the coming year by purchasing amulets, ema (votive tablets), and charms. In 2024, special attention is drawn to the gift bags used for these offerings.

Kyogen has designed gift bags for Hida Ichinomiya Minashi Shrine, located in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture, to hold offerings and the food offered to god. These gift bags are usually simple, with a white background and the name of the shrine written on them. However, some shrines enhance the design of these bags. Notably, the gift bags designed by Kyogen depict the guardian lion-dogs warding off evil and the sacred water gourd pattern, symbolizing the divine power, in a beautiful composition of perfect circles and curves.

While praying for a year of good health and peace, one can also appreciate the aesthetic beauty of the design, making it possible to receive the offerings with an even more sacred sense of reverence.

Goshimon Mon-Mandara:Monsho-uwaeshi, Shoryu Hatoba
Gift bag characters:Monsho-uwaeshi, Youho Hatoba
Planning and Supervision:Takayama City Council Member,Ryuhei Toda
Production and Cooperation: Hida Ichinomiya Minashi Shrine

◾️Products handled by the Edo Tokyo Kirari online store
https://www.store.kirari.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/category/select/bid/11

◾️Business Information
Business URL
https://www.kyogen-kamon.com/
ECsite
https://kyo-gen.stores.jp/

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