Amulets & Lucky Charms
Goshuinchō
An accordion-fold booklet for collecting goshuin stamps from various shrines and temples.
The goshuinchō is an accordion-fold or thread-bound booklet with beautiful cover designs — often featuring traditional Japanese patterns or shrine-specific artwork. Many collectors treasure shrine-original goshuinchō as keepsakes of their pilgrimages.
Whether to keep separate books for shrines and temples is a common question — most institutions accept mixed books, though a few temples may decline to write alongside shrine seals. Available in two standard sizes: large (roughly 18×12 cm) and small (roughly 16×11 cm), the larger format accommodates pre-written goshuin sheets more comfortably.
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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.
