Glossary of Buddhist Objects

The Japanese Buddhist altar and temple hall are furnished with a precise set of objects, each with a name and a purpose. This glossary is a field guide for collectors who meet them singly and want to know where they belong.

The altar set

  • Mitsugusoku. The basic three-piece set: an incense burner in the centre, a flower vase and a candlestick.
  • Gogusoku. The formal five-piece set: one incense burner, two vases and two candlesticks.
  • Kōro. Incense burner. See Kōro: incense burners.
  • Kebyo, hanatate. Flower vase.
  • Shokudai. Candlestick, often in the form of a crane standing on a tortoise.
  • Bukki. A small footed bowl for offerings of cooked rice.
  • Takatsuki. A tall stand for offerings of fruit and sweets.
  • Torō. Hanging or standing lanterns.

Images and memorials

  • Honzon. The principal image, sculpture or painting.
  • Ihai. Lacquered memorial tablets bearing posthumous names.
  • Kakochō. A register of the family dead.
  • Zushi. A shrine cabinet for an image. See Zushi.

Sound

Ornaments of the hall

  • Tengai. A canopy above the principal image.
  • Yōraku. Hanging jewelled ornaments.
  • Keman. Pendant ornaments of gilt bronze or leather, originally garlands of flowers. See Karyōbinga.
  • Ban. Banners hung in the hall.

The monk's equipment

  • Kesa. The patchwork mantle of a monk, often of fine brocade.
  • Juzu. Prayer beads. See Juzu.
  • Hossu. A fly whisk, the emblem of a Zen master.
  • Nyoi. A curved sceptre held by preaching monks.
  • Shakujō. A ringed staff.
  • Kongōsho and kongōrei. Vajra and vajra bell. See Vajra.

Outside the hall

  • Bonshō. The great temple bell.
  • Ishidōrō. Stone lanterns.
  • Gorintō and hōkyōintō. Stone stupas used as memorials.

In the collection

Browse altar implements, incense burners and the altars and religious objects collection.

See also

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