A new milestone in Japanese Buddhist culture, Kyoto Ryuangan Temple launches Goshuin NFT, offering blessings and protection!

Longan Temple launches 1,500 free animated Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) to promote Japanese Buddhist culture.

The Dragon's Shore Temple in Kyoto announced that starting from November 1st, it will provide 1,500 free animated Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) through its official website to promote Japanese Buddhist culture worldwide. From 2:00 PM on November 9th, 2024 (Japan Standard Time), visitors can also directly receive these NFTs at the temple. A QR Code will be provided on-site for the public to scan and obtain the free NFTs, experiencing the perfect blend of traditional culture and digital technology.

The Non-fungible Token of Long'an Temple includes a video showcasing the temple's mountain gate and main hall, as well as an animated calligraphy created by the abbot Chikuchi Ryuhō. These digital artworks not only showcase the beauty of the temple's architecture, but also integrate traditional calligraphy art, aiming to attract viewers interested in Japanese culture and Buddhism worldwide.

Image source: Kyoto Ryuanji Temple. The calligraphy created by the abbot of Ryuanji Temple, Ryuhou Ichiguchi.

To obtain a free Longan Temple Non-fungible Token, users need to complete a short survey on the website and connect their blockchain Wallet. Although the website states that a small amount of Gas fee and service fee will be charged, the Non-fungible Token itself is free and can be purchased with a credit card or Ethercoin. The Non-fungible Token is built based on the Ethereum protocol's ERC-721 Non-fungible Token standard, ensuring its uniqueness and traceability.

Transforming Goshuin into Non-fungible Tokens to let the world know about Japanese temples

This initiative is one of the projects of Goshuin Japan, an advertising production company, aiming to introduce Japanese local temples such as Ryuanganji to the world by transforming Goshuin into Non-fungible Tokens (NFTs). Goshuin is a handwritten calligraphy seal provided by Japanese temples to visitors to commemorate their visit. Followers often collect these unique seals during pilgrimage as a sign of respect and commemoration for the temples and shrines.

Image source: Kyoto Ryoanji Temple Ryoanji Temple combines traditional Goshuin with modern Non-fungible Token (NFT) technology

Currently, there are approximately 80,000 shrines and 77,000 temples in Japan, each offering unique Goshuin. A standard Goshuin includes the name of the temple, the date, and a specific phrase, usually handwritten by a monk. As a result, each Goshuin is unique, which aligns with the characteristics of Non-fungible Tokens. By digitizing and transforming Goshuin into Non-fungible Tokens, Goshuin Japan hopes to preserve and promote this traditional culture, allowing more international communities to appreciate Japan's religious art and cultural heritage.

The abbot of Long'an Temple, Ryushiki Chiguchi, hopes that by collecting these Non-fungible Tokens, more people will discover temples because he believes that temples are the most fascinating part of Japanese culture. He said, 'With the help of overseas people, sharing the charm of Japanese culture together, both Japan and the world will become more vibrant.'

Combining tradition and technology to promote cultural globalization

Ryogan-ji Temple was first built in 1616 on the former residence of the first astronomer of the Edo Shogunate, Setagawa Shun-kai. It is known to locals as the Jodo Buddhist temple of Kyoto. With over 400 years of history, this temple has witnessed the changes in Japanese history and the inheritance of its culture. Today, Ryogan-ji Temple seeks new ways to attract the younger generation and international community to follow through the integration with modern technology.

This project also aligns with the Japanese government's initiative to re-evaluate local assets such as cuisine and tourism from a global perspective, using Blockchain technology and Non-fungible Tokens. Through Blockchain technology, it is not only possible to protect and promote traditional culture, but also to bring new opportunities to the local economy. The non-fungibility and traceability of Non-fungible Tokens make them an ideal tool for protecting cultural heritage and artworks.

Image Source: Kyoto Ryuanji Temple NFT held by editors of 'encryption City'

The innovative initiative of the Dragon Bank Temple, by combining the traditional Goshuin with modern Non-fungible Token technology, not only promotes Japanese Buddhist culture, but also brings new vitality to the temple. Buddhist enthusiasts and cultural aficionados around the world can digitally experience and collect the unique charm of Japanese temples, further promoting global cultural exchange.