Amulets & Lucky Charms
Ema
A wooden prayer tablet hung at shrines, originally a substitute for the offering of real horses.
Ema are wooden tablets on which worshippers write their wishes and hang them at the shrine. The word literally means "picture horse" — in ancient times, live horses were offered as gifts to the gods. Over time, wooden horse figurines replaced real horses, and eventually flat tablets with painted horses became the standard.
Modern ema feature designs beyond horses — zodiac animals, shrine-specific imagery, and local landmarks are common. During exam season, Tenmangū shrines become blanketed with ema bearing pleas for success. There is no strict rule about writing on the front or back, though most write their wishes on the reverse to keep the decorative design visible.
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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.
