Senjafuda: Edo’s Social Media or Just Graffiti?

The Curious Tale of Senjafuda: Edo’s Social Media

Long before hashtags and social check-ins, the people of Edo had their own form of digital footprint:the senjafuda.

These were name slips—narrow strips of paper with bold calligraphy, stuck onto shrines or temples after a visit.They marked one’s presence, like a humble “I was here,” and over time, they evolved into a form of self-expression, sometimes even exchanged like business cards among cultural enthusiasts.

Senjafuda: Edo’s Social Media and Japanese Tradition

From Stylish to Nuisance: The Rise and Fall of Senjafuda

But not everyone was amused.

At places like Nikkō Tōshō-gū, too many senjafuda turned the sacred gates into sticker walls.Eventually, authorities had to issue warnings: “Do not post slips here.”

Fast forward to today, and we still see people—visitors and locals alike—leaving stickers or writing names on temple walls.Some may even believe they’re reviving a tradition.

But what was once iki (stylish) has now become meiwaku (a nuisance).

The Human Desire to Leave a Mark

Times change.So do manners.

But the urge to leave a mark, to be seen, to be remembered, even for a moment—maybe that part of being human never really goes away.

👉 Today, very few places still welcome senjafuda. If you ever wish to leave one, make sure to ask for permission. What was once a cultural offering can easily become defacement without care.

#JapaneseCulture #CulturalHeritage #DesignHistory #ArtAndCulture #TraditionAndModernity #CalligraphyInspiration #Senjafuda