In the present article the author offers an interpretation of the Shogunate's diplomatic known as shuinjo 朱印状 (vermilion sealed affidavit of official recognition) in late premodern Japan, focusing on the little know aspect of shuin-aratame 朱印改, an act that was implemented by a representative of the shogun, and about which little is known to date. Then a case study of this act is presented concerning the Koma 高麗 Shrine of Nihori 新堀 Village, Koma District, Musashi 武蔵 Province from the viewpoint of the recipient of the document and various problems faced by the Shrine in the process. In order to receive a shuinjo, a temple or shrine had to appear before the shogunate in Edo and stay there for about a month until all the paperwork was completed. Needless to say, such a stay was expensive, including not only travel and entertainment expenses, but also the heavy gratuity which had to be paid to the issuing authority (furegashira 触頭). There are cases of much pomp and circumstance surrounding such visits, the expense of which was all borne by the temple or shrine recipient, ranging from one to several tens of ryo 両. The shogunate frowned upon such extravagance and even made attempts to prohibit any gratuities being paid to the furegashira, while at the same time taking the prerogative to order that such payments be made. Needless to say, the intention was unclear and insufficient, for the gratuity was necessary in order for any temple or shrine to ensure that the shuin aratame process go smoothly and successfully. Since the ceremonial solemnity of the shuin-aratame process was expressly to reconfirm the Shogun's authority, it was very difficult to attempt rationalizing or simplifying this process, which was indispensable for any temple or shrine for attaining the highest status of an institution officially recognized by the shogunate, thus the extravagance connected with it was accepted as a fact of life by potential rccipients of the vermilion seal. Because of the important significance of the shuinjo for beth the issuing authority in the shogunate and recipient temples and shrines, there were definite limits to what extent the process could be simplified or expenses cut. In other words, the process was the way in which the importance, seriousness and honor of the shuinjo was reconfirmed within Tokugawa period society.

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