Buddhist altar, found in the home of the senior living member of a family. This currently amounts to about 60% of Japanese homes. It generally enshrines the ancestors of the household, for whom Buddhist rites are performed on a daily or less frequent basis. The ancestors are regarded as in some sense living in the butsudan and important family events should be announced to them. The institution of the butsudan reflects, as well as an expression of attachment to the deceased and filial piety, a widespread belief in the continuing existence of the personality after death, and the need to pacify potentially disruptive spirits (see goryo) with Buddhist rites.
A Popular Dictionary of Shinto. Brian Bocking.