The butsudan Buddhist family altar was built as a miniature of the temple dais upon which the main image stands, so families could worship at home. Reflecting the Pure Land in this world, butsudan not only hold Buddhist images but are also vehicles for people to communicate with their ancestors. Kyoto altars, called kin-butsudan, are decked with gold metalwork and maki-e lacquer. Their beauty is an unparalleled work of art. Strongholds of the heart, kin-butsudan show the core of Kyoto culture.

Kyoto has long-been a leading bamboo-growing region. Bamboo was considered holy in ancient times for its strong vitality. It is used at shrines and palaces as the barrier between the sacred and secular worlds. Gagaku music for the deities is played on bamboo instruments. Since Heian times, this durable, pliable material was important in the development of Japanese architecture in Kyoto, such as garden gates and fences. Bamboo also appears in various capacities in the diet and clothing of Kyoto.