Ryusenji Temple (埼玉厄除け開運大師・龍泉寺), located in Kumagaya, Saitama and recognized as the birthplace of the kirigami goshuin (cut-paper votive seal), has begun offering two new summer-limited kirigami goshuin designs from June 1, 2026: "So-kō" (蒼航) and "Song of the Summer Sky" (夏空の詩).
The Two Summer-Limited Kirigami Goshuin
So-kō (蒼航)
"So-kō" captures the image of a single ship sailing boldly across an endlessly blue sky and shimmering waves, expressed through two intricate and bold layers of cut paper.
The sailing ship section is meticulously crafted down to the finest details — from the flags flying at the tops of the masts to the rigging and decorative elements throughout the hull — achieving a sense of grandeur and elegance reminiscent of a work of art.
The wave section incorporates summer sea motifs such as seashells, adding a refreshing and vibrant touch. Holographic silver foil is distributed across the entire goshuin, evoking the spray of water sparkling in the summer sun and the shimmer between the waves. The foil's brilliance shifts with the angle of view, further enhancing the dynamism and beauty of the summer sea.
Song of the Summer Sky (夏空の詩)
"Song of the Summer Sky" is a kirigami goshuin that captures two contrasting scenes of the Japanese summer — daytime and nighttime — in a single luxurious piece.
The right side of the scroll depicts the summer daytime sky: an expansive, clear blue sky with brightly blooming sunflowers and morning glories, complemented by a wind chime — a classic symbol of the Japanese summer — all rendered in delicate cut paper and gold foil.
The left side of the scroll depicts the summer night sky: two vivid butterflies dancing around hydrangeas, with the fantastical glow of lanterns illuminating the scene. Lanterns of varying sizes and different expressive techniques are woven together to create a scene with real depth. Fireflies glimmer softly across the water's surface, expressed with delicate gold foil.
The interplay between the brightness of day and the quiet of night invites visitors to savor the beautiful, fleeting moments of summer.
Availability period: June 1, 2026 (Monday) to August 31, 2026 (Monday)
Limited quantities; available while supplies last.
About Ryusenji Temple (Saitama Yakuyoke Kaiun Daishi)
With a history spanning 1,200 years, Ryusenji Temple is known as the "yakuyoke kaiun honzan" (the principal temple for warding off evil and inviting good fortune) in the Kanto region — the only temple in Kanto where visitors can receive blessings for both warding off misfortune and attracting good luck simultaneously.
The temple is also the only place in Japan to enshrine both a golden yakuyoke daishi (evil-warding) statue and a kaiun daishi (fortune-welcoming) statue at the same site. Together with Kadobe Yakujin Tokonji (Hyogo Prefecture) and Daihonzan Daishoin (Hiroshima Prefecture), Ryusenji Temple is counted among the "Three Great Yakuyoke Kaiun Daishi Temples in Japan," drawing many worshippers from across the country during the New Year season.
Official website: https://yakuyoke-kaiun.jp/
