If you've scrolled through photos of Japanese shrine and temple stamps, you may have seen one that looks more like lace than ink: a sheet of paper cut into flowers, animals, or other motifs so finely that light passes through it. That is a kirie goshuin (切り絵御朱印, "paper-cut goshuin"). It has become popular in recent years, and it is also one of the easier goshuin types to get wrong, because it is fragile and often available only for a limited time. This guide explains what it is, how it differs from the usual handwritten goshuin, how to look for one, what to say at the counter, and how to keep it in good shape afterward.
What a kirie goshuin is
In a kirie goshuin, the design is created by cutting a pattern out of paper, typically with fine tools or a laser cutter, rather than by writing it with a brush. Motifs often draw on the shrine or temple's own character, such as seasonal flowers, animals associated with the site, or symbols from its history. Many are placed over a colored backing sheet, so the cut-out areas show color underneath and the whole piece changes character depending on the backing and the light.
Most kirie goshuin are handed out as a kakioki (書き置き), a goshuin that is prepared in advance on a separate slip of paper rather than written into your book on the spot. If you're new to the idea, our guide to handwritten and paper goshuin explains the difference and why the paper version is common, especially for intricate designs and at busy places.
How it differs from a regular goshuin
A regular goshuin is written by hand at the counter: the staff member brushes the name of the site and the date, then adds the red seals. A kirie goshuin is made ahead of time, so there is no calligraphy session to watch. That changes a few practical things.
Because kirie designs often change with the season or an event, a design you saw online may not be available when you visit. Our guide to limited and seasonal goshuin covers how to plan around that kind of availability, and our goshuin price guide explains what the usual range looks like.
Where to find them
Kirie goshuin are offered by only some shrines and temples across Japan, and the list changes as designs come and go. Because of that, there is no permanent roster worth memorizing. A more reliable approach is to pick a place you want to visit anyway, then check its official website or official social media account shortly before you go. Shrines and temples that offer paper-cut designs usually announce them there, along with any period or quantity limits.
To plan the rest of your route, you can browse nearby shrines and temples on our goshuin map. For an overview of places that have offered paper-cut designs, we also keep a themed list, though it is a Japanese-language page.
✦ Check before you travel, not after
A kirie goshuin can be out of stock or out of season on the day you arrive. If it is the main reason for your trip, look at the shrine or temple's official announcements first, and treat any other goshuin at the same site as a pleasant fallback rather than a letdown.
How to ask for one at the counter
You don't need much Japanese. Once you have visited the main hall and paid your respects, go to the goshuin counter and say the phrase below. If the staff member brings out a few designs, pointing at the one you want works fine.
- Kirie no goshuin o onegai shimasu (切り絵の御朱印をお願いします): "A paper-cut goshuin, please."
- Kakioki de onegai shimasu (書き置きでお願いします): "A prepared paper slip, please."
- Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございます): "Thank you."
If you'd like a few more phrases for the counter, our guide to useful goshuin phrases has them, with pronunciation. You can also bring a goshuincho in case a regular goshuin is the only option that day, which is covered in our goshuincho guide.
Keeping a paper-cut goshuin safe
The fine cut-outs that make a kirie goshuin beautiful also make it fragile. The thin parts of the pattern can catch on things, and a single fold can leave a permanent crease. A few habits help.
- Carry it flat in a clear file or between two sheets of stiff card, not loose in a bag.
- Hold it by the edges or the backing, and avoid pinching the thin parts of the pattern.
- For storage, use a pocket-style holder where the slip slides in without being pressed or bent.
- Be cautious about gluing it into a goshuincho. Glue can warp or tear delicate paper and can't be undone, so many collectors prefer to keep it in a pocket instead.
- Keep it away from direct sunlight and humidity, which can fade and wrinkle paper over time.
✦ Bring a clear file for the day
A thin A5 or A4 clear file is light and takes up almost no room. Slipping the goshuin into it right at the counter, before it goes anywhere near your bag, avoids the most common kind of damage.
Etiquette reminders
A kirie goshuin is a record of a visit, not just a collectible. Visit the main hall and pay your respects first, then go to the counter, as with any goshuin. Follow the staff's instructions about quantity, queueing, and photography, and be patient if a design has run out. Please also don't buy goshuin to resell them; they are meant for people who have visited. Our etiquette guide covers the basics in more detail.
