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.
Standard kanji spelling for this proverb.
Variant spelling using 真尻 instead of ま尻.
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.