expression
put your household Shinto shrine in a high position in the front of the house and your Buddhist altar in the back
Rare proverb describing the traditional arrangement of a kamidana (Shinto household shrine) and a butsudan (Buddhist altar) in a Japanese home, with the Shinto shrine placed in a prominent, elevated front position and the Buddhist altar in a less conspicuous rear location.
「神の正面仏のま尻」という言葉は、神棚と仏壇の配置の慣習を表している。
The phrase 'kami no shōmen hotoke no mashiri' refers to the custom of arranging the kamidana and butsudan.
The exact derivation is uncertain; the phrase is a traditional saying reflecting the historical practice of placing the Shinto household shrine (kamidana) in a prominent front position and the Buddhist altar (butsudan) in a less prominent rear position within the home.