Amulets & Lucky Charms
Sakaki
An evergreen tree sacred to Shinto, used for ritual offerings and tamagushi branches.
Sakaki is the sacred evergreen tree of Shinto worship. The character "榊" is a uniquely Japanese kanji (kokuji) combining "tree" (木) and "god" (神), literally meaning "tree of the gods." Its perpetually green foliage symbolizes eternal life, and its branches serve as tamagushi — ritual offerings presented to the gods with paper streamers attached.
Sakaki (Cleyera japonica) grows naturally in warm regions west of the Kantō area. In colder northern regions where it does not grow, hisakaki (Eurya japonica) is used as a substitute. Proper kamidana etiquette calls for replacing the sakaki branches on the 1st and 15th of each month. The fact that sakaki is readily available at supermarkets and florists throughout Japan speaks to how widely household shrine worship continues to be practiced.
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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.
