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Have you ever been captivated by the vibrant brocade pouches overflowing at Japanese shrines? Those delightful bundles are お守り omamori, more than just trinkets – potent symbols of luck and protection, deeply woven into Japanese culture.
Coto Academy is a Japanese language school located in Tokyo and Yokohama. With its small class sizes and flexible course schedule, we ensure the students find their community here in Japan and learn practical and useful daily-life Japanese by focusing on conversational practice.
A Quick Jump To…
- A Charm for Every Wish
- Beside The Omamori
- Owning Your Omamori
- Retire The Omamori
- Useful Japanese Phrases
- FAQ
A Charm for Every Wish
The beauty of omamori lies in their incredible diversity. Whether you’re a student yearning for academic success, a professional seeking career advancement, or someone hoping for a year brimming with good fortune, there’s an omamori designed to bring you that specific blessing.
- 勝守 katsumamori: Aspire for general success.
- 厄除け yakuyoke: Aspire to ward away the evil.
- 商売繁盛 shoubaihanjou: Aspire for business prosperity.
- 学業成就 gakugyou-jouju: Aspire for academic success.
- 交通安全 koutsuanzen: Aspire for traffic safety.
- 縁結び enmusubi: Aspire for love
- 開運 aiun: Aspire for luck-boosting.
- 健康 kenko: Aspire for good health.
- 家内安全 kanai anzen: Aspire for family safety.
- 子授け losazuke: Aspire for conceiving/pregnancy.
Also, you can get special omamori at shrines or online like these:
Beside The Omamori
Previously we wrote a blog on Praying at Japanese Shrines: Experience Tranquility, discussing the proper way to pray at a shrine in Japan. We also talked about how you can find the following at a shrine.
- 絵馬 Ema: Ema are wooden plaques where visitors can write their wishes or prayers. The plaques are then left at the shrine for the kami to consider.
- おみくじ Omikuji: Omikuji are random fortunes written on strips of paper. After drawing one from a box at the shrine, you can read your fortune, which may predict blessings, challenges, or advice for the future.
- 御札 Ofuda: These small paper talismans are believed to bring good luck and ward off evil. They can be bought at the shrine and placed in your home or car.
- だるま Daruma dolls: These round, red dolls are believed to bring good luck and perseverance. They are often given as gifts to people starting a new job or business.
Read the blog to learn more about shrines in Japan!
Owning Your Omamori
Owning an omamori transcends simply carrying a charm. Many people choose to participate in a special ritual at the temple or shrine to personalize their omamori. This might involve bowing, clapping, or reciting a prayer to connect with the deity and imbue the omamori with your specific intention.
Retire The Omamori
Omamori is considered to hold spiritual power, and discarding them improperly is frowned upon. Many temples have designated areas for returning old omamori, where they are disposed of respectfully. This is usually done at the beginning of the year, so the new year is January 1st.
Useful Japanese Phrases
- お守りは、どこで買えますか。Omamori wa, doko de kaemasu ka. – Where can I buy the lucky charms?
- このお守りには、どんなご利益がありますか。 Kono omamori niwa donna goriyaku ga arimasuka. – What kind of luck does this omamori offer?
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You Might Be Wondering…
Where can I buy an omamori?
Omamori is sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples throughout Japan and in some specialty shops.
How many omamori can I have?
There’s no limit! You can have as many omamori as you feel you need. However, mixing Shinto and Buddhist omamori might negate their effects.
Where should I keep my omamori?
Traditionally, omamori are carried close to the person. However, some have specific placement recommendations:
- Financial luck: Wallet
- Education: Backpack or pencil case
- Safe pregnancy: Under your pillow
Do I need to replace my omamori every year?
It depends! You can keep your omamori for as long as you feel it benefits you. However, Japanese people replace their omamori every year.
What should I do with an old omamori?
When it’s time to let go of an omamori, return it to the shrine or temple where you purchased it. They have specific procedures for disposing of old omamori respectfully.
Can I buy omamori online?
Yes, you can find omamori for sale online from Japanese retailers. However, be cautious to ensure the seller is reputable.
