Amulets & Lucky Charms
Kumade
An ornate bamboo rake sold at Tori-no-Ichi festivals, symbolizing the raking in of good fortune and prosperity.
Kumade are ornamental rakes symbolizing the "raking in" of good fortune and business success. Evolved from simple agricultural rakes, they are now adorned with elaborate decorations featuring eagles, sea bream, gold coins, and the Seven Lucky Gods.
Kumade are most associated with the annual Tori-no-Ichi (Rooster Market) fairs held each November at Ōtori shrines — Tokyo's Asakusa Ōtori Shrine and Shinjuku's Hanazono Shrine are particularly bustling. Tradition holds that buyers should purchase progressively larger kumade each year as their fortunes grow. The distinctive ritual of buyer and seller exchanging rhythmic handclaps upon purchase epitomizes the vibrant energy of these markets.
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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.
