Amulets & Lucky Charms
Hamaya
A decorative arrow received at New Year's to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune.
Hamaya are ritual arrows believed to repel evil, distributed as New Year's good-luck charms. The name derives from the archery ceremony "jarai," whose target was called "hama" — leading to the auspicious characters "ha-ma" (breaking evil). The powerful name reinforced the arrow's role as a protective talisman.
Hamaya are often paired with "hamayumi" (evil-breaking bows) and given as gifts for a baby boy's first New Year to wish for healthy growth. When displayed at home, the arrowhead should point upward or toward the inauspicious direction of the year. After one year, the arrow should be returned to the shrine and replaced with a new one.
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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.
