Amulets & Lucky Charms
Ofuda
A paper or wooden talisman enshrining divine power, meant to be placed on the home altar or a high, clean location.
Ofuda are paper or wooden talismans imbued with the spirit and protection of a deity. At home, they are traditionally placed on a kamidana (household shrine shelf), or if unavailable, in a clean location above eye level facing south or east. Types include household protection, business prosperity, and traffic safety.
The most widely distributed ofuda is the "Jingū Taima" from Ise Grand Shrine, with approximately 9 million distributed annually through shrines nationwide. Ofuda are generally considered effective for one year, after which the old talisman should be returned to a shrine for ritual burning and replaced with a new one. Disposing of ofuda as ordinary trash is strongly discouraged.
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Goshuin
A hand-brushed calligraphy stamp and seal given as proof of worship at a shrine or temple.
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Goshuinchō
An accordion-fold booklet for collecting goshuin stamps from various shrines and temples.
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Ofuda
A paper or wooden talisman enshrining divine power, meant to be placed on the home altar or a high, clean location.
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Omamori
A small fabric amulet containing a sacred inscription, carried for divine protection and good fortune.
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Omikuji
A paper fortune drawn at shrines and temples revealing one's luck and guidance from the gods.
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Ema
A wooden prayer tablet hung at shrines, originally a substitute for the offering of real horses.
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Hamaya
A decorative arrow received at New Year's to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.
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Kumade
An ornate bamboo rake sold at Tori-no-Ichi festivals, symbolizing the raking in of good fortune and prosperity.
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Taima
A purification implement used in Shinto rituals, or the sacred talisman distributed by Ise Grand Shrine.
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Sakaki
An evergreen tree sacred to Shinto, used for ritual offerings and tamagushi branches.
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Omiki
Sake offered to the gods at shrines, later shared with worshippers as a form of communion with the divine.
