Kamidana
/ˌkɑː.miˈdɑː.nə/noun
A small household Shinto altar or shrine, traditionally mounted on a wall or placed on a shelf.
Did you know?Kamidana became especially widespread in modern Japan as household worship connected domestic life with Shinto kami, including protective talismans from major shrines.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Japanese
Japanese
kami
“A deity, sacred presence, or spirit; the word can refer to both benevolent and awe-inspiring supernatural beings.”
Old Japanese
Japanese
tana
“A shelf or raised platform.”
Premodern Japanese
Japanese
kamidana
“Literally “kami shelf,” referring to a domestic place for enshrining or honoring a Shinto deity.”
17th–19th Centuries
Japanese
kamidana
“A household Shinto altar used for talismans, offerings, prayers, and ritual observance.”
Meiji Period, 1868–1912
Japanese
kamidana
“A more standardized domestic altar associated with State Shinto and the distribution of shrine amulets.”
Modern English
English
kamidana
“A Japanese household Shinto altar or miniature shrine.”