Omamori [お守り] is an amulet or object that represents a person’s wish for good luck or blessings. It also serves as a form of protection, talisman, or enchantment and can usually be found in temples and shrines throughout Japan.
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How is an Omamori used?
The omamori or amulets should be placed on your phone, bag, wallet, house wall, pocket, or something similar. Even those Japanese who do not believe in the blessing or power use them for placebo effect, which is why they are fiercely popular.
Omamori became popular in both Shintoism and Buddhism. Priests believed that placing the power and strength of the gods into small pocket blessings would keep people safe and motivated.
Initially, its main purpose was to ward off evil spirits and protect clients from bad experiences. Later, they developed hundreds of types of these amulets/talismans. Today, there is a wide selection of handmade charms.
Differences between omamori in Shintoism and Buddhism
There is little difference between Shinto and Buddhist omamori: both contain a small prayer inside, are covered by a silk cloth, are printed with the name of the place, and are hung by a delicate thread.
Never, ever open the omamori. Otherwise, the blessing is released, and all the luck and protection you sought is lost. Carry it outside of your backpack (although this is not a firm rule).
Shinto priests and shrine maidens will emphasize that each one has an expiration date. Generally, about a year later, or until its purpose is fulfilled.
Once they “expire,” return them to the shrine or temple where you bought them. Thus, they will discard them in a sacred fire with the others.
Types of Omamori – Japanese Amulets
There are two main types of omamori. The first and most popular are the talismans, which are rectangular. These gain their power from words written on paper or wood. The words can be the name of the shrine, or a section of a sutra, or powerful words. The wood or paper is then sealed inside a cloth bag.
The second type is the morphic omamori, which are made in the shape of something. The traditional shapes are the bottle gourd, bell, and bundle. Each has ceremonial connections with objects used in Shinto practices. Some temples offer unique omamori.
Below we will see a list of the main types of amulets in Japan. There are thousands, as some are quite specific in their functions. The ones on the list below can be easily found anywhere or made at home.
Generally, the amulets have specific colors according to their function; the names of the amulets we will see next are usually what is written on the amulet in question. They are words that well represent their function. Some may even be filled with phrases!
It is worth noting that there are other amulets that we will not mention in the article; some provide digital security, others promise to protect even against bear attacks or protect your pet. There is a type of amulet for anything; you can even invent your own.
Katsumori – The Success Talisman
Katsumori [勝守] is potentially one of the most sought after, likely to be found in almost every shrine and temple. They often carry the image of an arrow, which is a common symbol in Shintoism to point towards a goal.
Although “success” may seem vague at first glance, it carries a promise: the user channels their energy into a single goal, and the talisman ensures that this will happen.
Yakuyoke – The Amulet of Evil Prevention
The distinction between this amulet and the katsumori is the way it helps you with your goal. While the katsumori aids in your endeavors, the yakuyoke [厄除け] prevents potential evils that may inhibit your success.
Those who feel haunted by a bad event may carry the amulet as a way to stifle any superstitions and bring some relief.
Shoubaihanjou – The Money Talisman
The shoubaihanjou [商売繁盛] comes in the form of a money bag. To help you with your financial situation. You can identify a shoubaihanjou hanging on the folders of some employees. In some shrines, there are specific money talismans for investments or savings, business, or personal finances.
In other cases, there are money bags aimed at luck in seeking money, inheritance, or even good deals while shopping. Whether these talismans help your wallet recover its money is another question.
Gakugyoujouju – Education and Study Talisman
The gakugyoujouju [学業成就] are popular among students who carry them in their backpacks during their school career, in order to encourage their studies and improve their acquisition of knowledge.
This is not designed to help pass any test – there is a different amulet for that. This amulet can be used not only by students but by anyone who wishes to gain knowledge.
Koutsuanzen – Safe Transit Amulet
The koutsuanzen [交通安全] is used by drivers, especially taxi drivers who wish to have a safe trip, and can be seen hanging from the car mirror or under the steering wheel, rearview mirror, or stuck on the dashboard. Even people who ride bicycles often tie this omamori to ride peacefully through traffic.
Some professionals customize their amulets with the car plate or the number of the location or wagon they work in. Students who wish to obtain their driver’s licenses also often use this amulet to succeed in the test.
Kauin – Luck Amulets
The Kauin [開運] are the most common amulets that bring luck in general without anything specific. They can be easily found, often bought as souvenirs, and carry the name of the shrine or temple without many details.
If you do not have a specific goal in mind, or simply want a small reminder of a shrine to remember your visit without any commitment, this may be your best choice. Nowadays, it is not as popular as the yakuyoke.
Shiawase – Happiness Amulet
The omamori written shiawase [幸せ], which literally means happiness, has a nuance of helping the user with methods and ways to improve their life; as the name suggests, bringing happiness in any area of life.
One of the most popular amulets for truly focusing on true happiness, as everyone knows that financial success is not what brings true happiness. This amulet promises to fill the void of this crazy life.
Kenkou – Health Amulet
Kenkou [健康] is the amulet focused on helping with your health. This omamori offers personal protection, prevention, and other things related to a person’s health.
Another type of kenkou that is quite rare and popular aims to protect people in sexual health. They can be found during the Kanamara Matsuri, the famous bizarre fertility festival.
Enmusubi and Anzan – Love Amulets
Love is a common theme among omamori; love amulets can be divided into several categories, depending on the person’s situation. Generally, these amulets have a small message of love and are used to bring people closer together.
Enmusubi [縁結び] does not refer merely to a simple amulet bought at a temple. It is common for lovers to take a piece of paper and write the name and age of the person they wish to marry, fold it, and tie it to a grate or tree branch at a shrine or temple in order to pray for a marriage.
The word enmusubi means bond of love, marriage, or bond of marriage, and also refers to the red thread of destiny. This name is present in any type of amulet related to love and romantic connection between people.
Couples – High school students often acquire these amulets at temples to solidify their relationship.
Married couples – There are large and unique amulets used for a couple to protect their marriage.
There are also sets of omamori to protect family members called kanai-anzen, which means something like “Please keep my family away from danger.” They offer small reminders of love between parents and children and continue to strengthen the marriage during family difficulties.
The childbirth amulet is known as “anzan” [安産]; these help ensure a quick and safe delivery. The word anzan literally means easy childbirth. These are just a few of the countless types of omamori that exist.
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