new year's engimono (asakusa, japan)

Posted by timothy sullivan (Tokyo, Japan) on 5 January 2009 in Lifestyle & Culture.

Technically I think these are a variety of engimono, or good luck talismans.

Japan has a multitude of kinds and forms of good luck charms, most of which can be found when visiting larger temples:

- Engimono (縁起物) are a general "family" of good luck charms found particularly in view around the new year. Types of engimono include kumade (熊手 - bamboo rake used to bring in good luck), hamaya (破魔矢 - decorative arrow blessed to ward off evil spirits) and hamayumi (破魔弓 - decorative arrow and bow blessed to ward off evil spirits/bring luck in the new year)

- Omamori (お守) are made of cloth and offer different types of protection (e.g. against harm/illness, misfortune of people in certain ages, unlucky directional forces; or for providing for safe pregnancy, good studies, etc.)

- Gofu (護符) are a kind of omamori, made of wood or paper; written upon them is usually a more sophisticated blessing. Often you'll see these near the entrance of companies and businesses at the beginning of the new year.

- Mayoke (魔除け) are wearable pendants (also found as keychains or cell phone straps), blessed by a priest and protect the holder against evil spirits

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Great reference on shinto offerings and talismans >>

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