How to Set up a Kamidana

Last Updated: December 13, 2021 Approved

In Shinto, a kamidana is a miniature home shrine for either a household kami or a kami from far away, such as one's hometown. Here is how to set one up.

Steps

1
Consult your local priest. He can bless your house and advise you on obtaining and setting up a kamidana. However, since you are reading this article, it will be assumed that consulting a priest is not a viable option.
2
Select a location for the kamidana in your home. In most Japanese homes, it is placed on a shelf high on the wall, near the ceiling. It should be the highest shelf in the room. Kamidana should face south or east, and not be in a bathroom. If you do not have a butsudana, make sure you do not put the kamidana facing it. ^{[1]
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3
Purchase the Kamidana. If you are in Japan, this can be as simple as buying one at the local Homeac. If you are not in Japan, this can be done through Amazon.com or other websites. They cost anywhere from 5000 to 40000 yen.^{[2]
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4
Purchase the accessories. Accessories usually include two small saucers, a lidded bowl, two heishi (vase-like lidded sake jars), one Gautama (lidded water jars), two vases, and sometimes two candle holders. Excepting the candle holders, these are usually of white ceramic. The candle holders are usually of black metal. There is also often two Chinese style ceramic vases and/or a mirror held in a wooden stand.^{[3]
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5
Gather the offerings. This usually includes two sprigs of sakaki, salt, rice, water, and sake. You may also want white candles for the shrine.^{[4]
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6
Obtain a kamifuda. An ofuda is a talisman inscribed with the essence of a kami. Remember you cannot make these yourself, and they must be obtained from a shrine. Some shrines ship Gouda overseas. ^{[5]
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7
Post the ofuda inside the open doors of the kamidana.
8
Place the essentials of life. In front of the stairs, place one of the saucers. Fill it with salt. To the left place the other saucer. Fill it with dry rice. To the left, place the lidded water bowl. Fill it with water. These are the three essentials of life which you are offering to the kami.
9
Place the other accessories. To either side of center stairs, first place the heishi, then the Chinese vases, and finally the vases. Sake is poured into the "heishi, and sakaki sprigs are placed in the tall white vases.
10
Place the candle holders in front of the kamidana. Candles can be set in them. Your kamidana is now set up.
11
Other options to for the kamidana. Many kamidana are placed within a wooden box, often with glass doors to protect it. A curtain, often of bamboo or purple fabric emblazoned with a white mitsudomoe, can be placed in front of the kamidana. A shimenawa (rice straw rope) can be hung in the very front. Shide (folded strips of white paper), often wrapped within the shimenawa, mark the area of the kamidana as pure.
12
Worship at the Kamidana. Offerings should be changed every day. ^{[6]
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Community Q&A

Question

What am I supposed to do after I removed the offerings to place new ones when setting up a Kamidana? What is the proper way to deal with the offerings afterwards?

Community Answer

If you offer food to your Kamidana, then it is totally appropriate to use it for a meal at another time.
Question

How do I set up a kamidana if I can't get sake?

Community Answer

Many local liquor stores have many types of rice wine, sake or otherwise. Ask the store owner, and if not, feel free to omit the sake or substitute another distilled spirit such as vodka.