Dinosaurs meet Japanese tradition: Okayama University of Science creates T. rex shrine Goshuin
image: From left, museum curator Miwa Ichikawa and Okayama Shrine priest Momoyo Kuyama pose in front of a Tarbosaurus skull specimen at the Museum of Dinosaur Research, Okayama University of Science. The dinosaur-themed goshuin created through the collaboration is shown at lower left.
Credit: Okayama University of Science
Okayama University of Science (OUS) has collaborated with Okayama Shrine in Okayama City to create a special goshuin featuring Tarbosaurus, one of Asia’s largest carnivorous dinosaurs. A goshuin is a traditional seal and inscription offered at shrines and temples in Japan. The new design has been available at Okayama Shrine since late August.
Okayama Shrine has a history spanning more than 1,100 years, and its Zuijinmon gate is designated an Important Cultural Property by Okayama City.
The collaboration grew out of a shared passion for dinosaurs. Momoyo Kuyama, a negi (Shinto senior priest) at the shrine, has been fascinated by dinosaurs since childhood. After the Museum of Dinosaur Research opened at OUS in 2018, she became a frequent visitor and developed a friendship with museum curator Miwa Ichikawa. Kuyama eventually approached Ichikawa with the idea of creating a dinosaur-themed goshuin, and the museum enthusiastically agreed to collaborate.
The goshuin is presented on an A5-sized card with a shimmering silver holographic foil background. It features a striking illustration of roaring Tarbosaurus silhouetted against the sun, surrounded by vegetation inspired by the prehistoric landscape of its time. Museum curator Miwa Ichikawa provided reference materials for the artwork, which was scientifically supervised by the university’s Department of Dinosaur Paleontology.
On the right side of the card, traditional brush-style calligraphy reads “Hōhai” (meaning “worship”), “Okayama Shrine,” and spaced for the date, accompanied by the shrine’s official seal. The design also features the OUS logo and its tagline.
The goshuin is available at Okayama Shrine for a traditional offering of 1,500 yen, with the date of the visit inscribed on each card.
Visitors who bring their dinosaur-themed goshuin to the Museum of Dinosaur Research can also receive an original Okayama Shrine clear file while supplies last.
“I hope this goshuin inspires more people to take an interest in dinosaurs,” Ichikawa said. “And I hope they’ll come and see our Tarbosaurus skeleton for themselves.”
Kuyama added, “I hope this project will help build excitement around dinosaurs here in Okayama.”
Okayama Shrine is located at 2-33 Ishizeki-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City. For inquiries, contact the shrine by phone at +81-86-222-7198 or by email at info@okayama-jinjya.or.jp.