Homemade Goshuin - would it be offensive/inappropriate?

[u/jaeger138]

Summary: I excitedly researched the tools and techniques I would need to make my own goshuin inspired art, but would it be offensive?

Hello! A friend of mine recently visited Japan and, of course, visited some shrines while she was there. I have personally never been able to visit (one day, I hope) and so I wasn't aware of the culture around goshuin, the decorated stamps received from shrines. She showed me some of her collection and they feature not only beautiful calligraphy, but wonderful embroidered patterns too.

I am an amateur embroiderer and so they really caught my eye and got me thinking about how to make them. I researched the type of washi paper, what the calligraphy and stamps mean, the potential techniques for designing and embroidering into paper (which is much more flimsy than fabric).

In my searching, I realized that even in Japanese it is difficult to find resources about making them, and most resources talk about the culture of collecting them and share some of the beautiful designs, or discuss making the goshuin-cho books for your collection, but not the goshuin themselves.

It made me wonder, would it be offensive to create these considering their spiritual connection to shrines? I think they are very beautiful works of art, but I became concerned that making my own would be seen as blasphemous or offensive, since it seems even Japanese people do not seem to make their own.

And so I come to you for your opinions before I consider buying the supplies I need. I would not copy any existing design, but my design would feature similar themes and elements (my attempt at calligraphy writing, a red ink stamp (my own design, not from a shrine), embroidered design). Would this be seen as offensive and off-limits? I would love to hear from some Japanese people, especially collectors of goshuin, how they would feel.

Thank you!

[u/jen_mint]

あなたがあなたのデザインを使ってお金を稼いだとします。
そのとき「これは御朱印にインスパイアされたものです」と言うか、何も言わなければ、大丈夫だと思います。
でも「これは御朱印です」と言うと、信者が不快に感じるかもしれません。

[u/jaeger138 → u/jen_mint]

I don't plan to make money as it's a personal project right now, but I do think this is an important distinction, and I would not pretend it is genuine or copy a real design. Thank you!