ENGIMONO: Japanese amulets of good luck - Japanese Search icon Search icon icon

En todas las culturas existen artículos y costumbres que supuestamente traen buena suerte y ahuyentan las desgracias y los malos espíritus. En Japón, estos amuletos reciben el nombre de engimono y están por todas partes. Los verás colgados en móviles y bolsos, en las entradas de las casas, en las tiendas, en los templos…

Walking through Japan you will see Cats streets with the lifted leg, dolls with one eye, mapaches with large sexual organs, seven gods on a ship and much more.

And in the sanctuaries you will see hanging made of fabric, wooden planks with written desires, small white roles tied to the trees.All this are amulets of good luck, although a priori they do not seem like it.

The sale of all these amulets is one of the best sources of financing of temples and sanctuaries.And, by law, no religious institution in Japan can receive money from the State.There are cheaper, such as an omikuji or an Ema, and more expensive as a Kiganbun letter.The good thing, for sanctuaries and temples, is that these amulets are renewed every year, so there is always a constant flow of buyers.

Here are which are the best known and important.Many of them are also perfect gifts for friends and family when you return from Japan.

Japanese amulets: video summary

And if you are one of those who prefer the video format, here we leave you our specific video about Japanese amulets.And remember that in our YouTube channel you have many specific videos, not only of places and regions of Japan, but also of Japanese culture, curiosities and also questions and answers.

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Omamori, the amulet for everything

El omamori es un popular amuleto japonés que seguro que comprarás en alguna de tus visitas a Japón.It is a kind of cloth pendant that is sold, above all, in temples and sanctuaries.It is believed to avoid accidents, improve health, helps in love, helps approve exams, etc..That is, it is an amulet for everything, of which you have more details in the post that we have linked to you.

The Japanese carry these Omamori in many places.It can be in the pocket, in the bag, in the car or even on the mobile.In addition, there are all colors and designs and in each sanctuary it has a specific image that you will only find there.That is, in addition to good luck, they encourage the collecting that Tango likes in Japan.

Omikuji, the luck that is tied

Los omikuji son pequeños papeles que predicen tu fortuna y adivinan tu futuro.You can also buy them in the vast majority of Japanese temples and sanctuaries.In the linked article we give you more details and we even explain what types of omikuji you will find and their meaning.

Popular belief says that if you touch an omikuji of bad luck you have to tie it in one of the trees of the temple or sanctuary.In this way, the gods will get bad luck with them and will no longer persecute you.There are often specific places to tie them, so don't worry if you have bad luck.

EMA TABLETS FOR REQUEST

EMA (絵 馬) are small wooden tablets where you can write your wishes.To get your favor, you have to write your desire on one side of the tablet and hang it in the sanctuary.There the priests or monks will end up burning it so that desire clearly reaches the gods.You don't also have to worry if you don't know Japanese because you can write in the language you prefer.

EMA tablet designs vary according to the sanctuary.You will generally see that they have designs with animals, images related to the season of the year or to the city in which you are.It is also usual to have symbols related to the sanctuary in question, although it is usual to find tablets with the image of a horse.

The general belief was that the Kami gods were going on horseback (Uma, in Japanese).Therefore, in the past, the people offered horses in offering to the Kami of the Sanctuary and, from Uma passed to Ema.Today, flesh and bone horses have become drawn horses, but the idea is exactly the same.

Among the most common desires are having good health or having luck in business or in a new work adventure.But they are also frequent to be lucky in studies or in love, enjoy good pregnancy and good childbirth, etc..The truth is that you can ask for whatever you want, there are even those who ask to be able to go to that special concert of their favorite group, for example.

A proof of how different religion is lived in Japan with respect to other countries is in the "modern" Ema.I might think that being an amulet, its appearance always has to be respectful of deities.The reality is that there is Ema with images of tokusatsu -type television series, manga and anime, etc..

The best example, perhaps, you have it at the Kanda Myjin sanctuary, in Tokyo.This sanctuary appears in the Anime Love Live series!And, since then, it has become the informal sanctuary of otaku culture.Many people who go to Buy Ema decorate them with drawings of this series, but the sanctuary itself has reached an agreement with the producer to offer these tablets with official images of the series.Thus, everyone benefits.

Maneki-Neko, the good luck cat

El maneki-neko es posiblemente uno de los amuletos japoneses más conocidos fuera de Japón.It literally means "cat that invites to enter" and is a fun white cat with one of its legs, normally the left, lifted at the height of the ear and the palm forward.

In the other hand, a coin called Koban, which represents fortune.The neck hangs a small rattle that scares the evil spirits.

In the linked post we tell you in depth about this popular amulet.Amulet that in many cases people believe that it is of Chinese origin.In addition, in Tokyo you have the Gotokuji temple, which is dedicated exclusively to this good luck cat.

Daruma, the amulet of purposes

Daruma doll is another best known Japanese amulets.It is a red doll, without arms or feet, with a male face that does not have eyes, only two white circles.Thanks to its rounded shape it swings but never falls, so that it represents perseverance and effort.

The Daruma represents an ancient Indian Buddhist monk named Bodhidharma, founder of Zen Buddhism and responsible for the Buddha doctrine arriving in China.The legend says that the monk did not reach lighting up to 9 years after meditating alone in a cave.

Precisely for being so long without moving, not only his arms and legs fell, but the monk himself ripped his eyes to concentrate better.

Normally the Japanese give Daruma dolls to give someone the opportunity to meet a purpose, for example on their birthday, in New Year or a new project.That is, it is not used to ask for a desire without more, but to get help with a purpose whose success depends on your effort.

When you want help for that purpose, one of the eyes is painted and left in a visible place.Thus, every day you see it will remind you that you have to strive to achieve your goal.When you get it, you will have to paint the other eye in thanks.

Every year, several fairs are held in the first days of the year in many places in Japan dedicated to Daruma doll. Una de las más conocidas es la que se celebra en el templo Shorinzan de Takasaki (prefectura de Gunma), los días 6 y 7 de enero de cada año.

OFUDA, THE AMULET FOR THE HOME

The Ofuda is an amulet similar to Omamori but bigger and made of wood or paper.You can buy it in Japanese sanctuaries and their beautiful calligraphy makes it a nice gift.

This amulet protects the whole family from any evil such as diseases or fires at home.Inside the name of the god or kami is usually found that will protect your family.There are also the name of the sanctuary or even the seal or image of it, along with a prayer or request to the god.

The Japanese usually place the Ofud.Since the Ofuda is something sacred, you don't have to open it or get rid of it lightly.In any case, you have to take it to the sanctuary where you bought it for a cremation ceremony when you want to renew it.

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As the vast majority of amulets, the Japanese usually change it once a year, normally at the end of the natural year, to begin the new year with renewed protection.

By the way, that the entrance to the temples Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji are actually offered that you can hang at the door of your house to get protection.So if you visit these two Kyoto temples, don't throw the tickets!

Tanuki, the Japanese Mapache of great testicles

The Tanuki (狸 or た ぬき), often translated as a Japanese mapache dog, is an animal originally from Asia and a very important creature of Japanese folklore.They have always been considered a strange and supernatural creature and therefore is popular in ancient stories, where it always appears to deceive the protagonists.

Tanuki currently has a rather comical image, since it is characterized by a large belly and huge testicles.He wears a straw hat, which protects him from bad luck, a book of accounts and a bottle of Sake in his hands.All this symbols of business prosperity.

Therefore, it is very common to find small statues of Tanuki at the entrance of restaurants, bars and izakaya, although you will also see it in some private houses.

Tanuki appears in many traditional legends and stories like an animal with magical powers.These powers are similar to those of the fox, whose main fun is to deceive the leading characters.In these stories, Tanuki often changes shape or gets through human.It is a good -natured animal although mocking and naughty who likes to eat and drink and, basically, do the vague scratch.

But one of the most surprising aspects of the graphic representations of the Tanuki, from the period Edo (more realistic) to the present (with an unrealistic statuette, let's be sincere) are their disproportionate testicles.

Actually, biologically speaking, Tanuki's scrotum is quite large.In fact historically it has been used in goldsmiths to work gold, since they are very resistant and elastic and allow to work the precious metal easily.Hence, the scrotum of the Tanuki began to be seen as a symbol of wealth (allowed to "stretch the gold").And that was when he began to be marketed as an amulet of prosperity, in addition to appearing in many drawings of artists of the Edo period.

In fact, in Japan, large testicles are not a symbol of sexual power.On the contrary, they are a symbol of wealth and prosperity.Something you will perfectly understand if you know Japanese, because "testicles" is Kintama (金玉), which means "gold balls".

The relationship between wealth and the great testicles of Tanuki comes from afar, as you can see.But the remaining elements of your current image are more recent additions.

It was in the Taishho period (1912-1926), when the current Shigaraki ceramic statuette was designed, which began to popularize among the owners of restaurants and bars to attract customers and wealth.Today, the typical image of Tanuki incorporates eight virtues that ensure prosperity and fortune:

1. Un sombrero de paja que lo protege del mal tiempo y de la mala suerte.
2. Ojos grandes y abiertos para verlo todo bien y tomar buenas decisiones.
3. Una botella de sake, que representa la virtud.
4. Una larga cola que le da estabilidad y fortaleza para conseguir el éxito.
5. Unos testículos enormes que simbolizan la fortuna en el dinero y los negocios.
6. Un libro de cuentas que representa la confianza.
7. Una gran barriga que simboliza la tranquilidad y la calma.
8. Una sonrisa agradable que representa una buena atención al cliente.

The current sculptures of Tanuki, with a large size of the belly, of the eyes and, above all, of the testicles, give it a funny and fun air.But as you can see, he has a great symbolism as amulet.

Shichifukujin, the seven gods of fortune

Los shichifukujin, como su nombre indica (shichi significa «siete», fuku es «suerte» y jin es «dios»), son los siete dioses de la suerte.The group symbolizes the seven virtues of the human being: longevity, opportunity, popularity, frankness, magnanimity, dignity and goodness.

There is much to tell about each of these seven gods, so we invite you to read our post about the Shichifukujin.You will see that they are of diverse origins (only one is Japanese) and that they navigate in a ship of luck.There are even pilgrimages for temples dedicated to these gods.

Fukusuke, luck in business

The Fukusuke (福助) is the fortune doll and, above all, of good fortune in business.It is a child's face dressed dressed like a samurai formally with a kamishimo of Komon pattern.

It is characterized by a quite large shaved head and huge ears called Fukumimi, the ears of good luck and symbol of wealth.It is usually sitting in the traditional position on a Zabuton cushion, also traditional.

The origin of the Fukusuke doll is not very clear.There are those who say that their origin is in the god of luck or fuku no kami (福 神 神) called Kanō Fukusuke (叶福助) of the edo period.Some legends say that it was designed in the image and likeness of a farmer named Sataro who traveled from the field to Edo (the current Tokyo) at the beginning of the 19th century.Other legends indicate that the doll is actually the representation of a Kyoto merchant that was very successful in their businesses.

In any case, popular belief is that Fukusuke dolls help prosperity and success in business, which is why it is common to find them at the entrance of different establishments and offices.Sometimes it can appear to bake courtesy to give respectful welcome to customers;It is the so -called Ojigi Fukusuke (おじぎ 福助).

As often happens with this type of amulets, there is fukusuke with very different shapes and designs, even mixed with other lucky amulets.On some occasions, in addition, the Fukusuke doll can appear with his wife ofuku (お 福) or with his daughter Fukumusume (福娘), although it is not usual.

As a curiosity, you can see a Fukusuke doll on the cover of the SGT album.Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band of The Beatles, just down to the left.

Teru-teru bōzu, the amulet against the rain

The Teru-Teru-Bōzu (てる てる 坊主, which means "shines, monk") is an amulet against the rain, to ask for a good weather.This amulet was popularized during the Edo period and is still very used and loved among the children throughout Japan.

Actually the Teru-Teru-Bozu is a simple handmade doll, normally of paper, which hangs in the windows or at the entrance of the house.That works or not to get good weather and avoid rain, that is already more complicated.

It is very popular among children, especially days before an excursion or a trip, to avoid bad weather and not rain.But we have also seen it in towns and cities throughout Japan on the days before a Matsuri or Festival to do good weather during the same.

The grace of Teru-Teru Bōzu is that it is a doll that you can do at hand at home.It is common to make paper, but it can also be made of cloth or even crochet.It is usually white, although other colors are currently accepted.

Tradition says that if thanks to him you have enjoyed good weather, you can paint his eyes (as is done with the darumworked—.But the truth is that the vast majority of Teru-Teru Bōzu that we have seen have already painted the face with more or less details ... it does not surprise us, because children love to draw these details.

As we say, e¡l teru-teru bōzu hangs in the windows or at the entrance of the houses.In fact, it is said that if you hang it upside down what you are asking for is just the opposite, to rain.Then he is called Sakasa Teru Teru Bozu (逆さ てる てる 坊主).Be careful what you wish for!

The origin of the Teru-teru bōzu is not clear.For many, the term Bōzu refers not to a specific monk, but to its similarity with the shaved head of any monk.For others, it is based on the legend of a monk that promised the peasants that would stop the rains that were destroying the crops and that, not getting it, was executed.

We do not know which of the two stories will be real, but the truth is that Teru-Teru Bōzu is an endearing image for children.In fact, in 1921 a children's song was published that is still very popular today among the little ones.We leave you here a version of it so you can sing it.We leave you the lyrics and also the video with the melody of the song:

This amulet is so appreciated in Japan that there are keychains, stuffed animals, drawings, pets and even obtaining with its image.So you know, if you have any activity and want to ask not to rain ... do your own Teru-Teru Bōzu.

Kiganbun, the letter to the gods

The Kiganbun letter (祈願文) or Gokigan (御 祈願), which literally means "prayer", is a letter to the gods or spirits of a sanctuary.In it we write our desires and requests or we thank you for help.Normally it is written by hand in the sanctuary itself, since there you will find paper, pen and envelopes.

As with any other type of purchase you make in the sanctuary, the Kiganbun letter must also carry an offering of money in cash.Thus, you usually write your letter, put it in an envelope with some offering money and introduce it into a specific offerings box for it.If you go during the Hatsumode, at the beginning of the year, you will see several offerings of offerings especially in the busiest sanctuaries, to be able to serve so many visitors at the same time.

Unlike other types of amulets, the Kiganbun letter usually has a fixed price.Therefore, your offering can be as small or as big as you want.Of course, on special occasions or according to which sanctuaries, the writing of the letter is associated with the purchase of a package of amulets and various articles (as you can see in the image.In those cases it will have a predefined price.

So you know, if you visit a sanctuary and you want to have a little more "intimate" communication with the gods, look for the area to write a Kiganbun letter.

Kumade, the rake of happiness

The Kumade (熊手, or "Bear Sits") is a rake -shaped amulet.The truth is that the rake is very used utensil today in Japan, either to plant or clean the leave of leaves.

In the case of this amulet, the belief is that instead of collecting leaves from the ground, it collects happiness and good luck for its owner.Hence the ornamental alternative, being one of the multiple Japanese amulets of good luck.

Bamboo rakes as a good luck amulet began to be sold in the Edo period during the days of the temples festival.They were popular especially in those business -related festivals.

It was then that these rakes began to decorate with symbols of good luck, such as gold coins, images of the Shichifukujin or seven gods of fortune, replicas of the Takarabune Treasury ship, etc..And they began to sell at festivals throughout the country to help buyers to collect with it prosperity, fortune, health and happiness.Thus, Rastrillo went from being a simple cleaning article to be an amulet of good luck.

Among the most frequent ornaments you can find the Otafuku mask or the goddess of jubilation, a female character widely used at the Kyogen Theater, his presence supposedly helps you collect with the rake happiness and prosperity.In addition you also find gold coins, gold bullion and treasure ships such as business amulets.

You will also see cranes as a symbol of longevity, turtles as a symbol of good luck and longevity, in addition to small replicas of Mikoshi or portable altars, one or more of the seven gods of fortune, pine and bamboo branches, grains or bales of rice and rice andBest as symbols of prosperity and business success.In short, everything.And the more symbols of good luck it takes, the more expensive the kumade will be.

An ideal place to buy Kumade is at the different Tori No Ichi festivals (酉 の) that are held throughout Japan in November.The largest Tori No Ichi Festival is that of the Asakusa Sanctuary where more than 200 different positions with all kinds of Kumade designs are placed.

The Festival receives the visit of thousands of people looking to buy their good luck rake for the New Year.A small kumade rake usually costs about 1000 yen, although larger rakes can reach a price of 10,000 yen or even more.

Traditionally, when one decides to buy a kumade, buyer and seller they give two palms and recite a small prayer, which says "health for the family, success for business".This will make it easier to get health, fortune and prosperity in the new year.Without a doubt, if you are in November in Japan you should not miss it.

By the way, tradition dictates that every year you have to buy a larger kumade, to increase your good fortune.So be very careful with the size of the first kumade you buy.Because in a short time you no longer have space at home to place it, or money in your pocket to pay it.

In addition to kumade, there is another very similar amulet.This is a kind of "collecting" with a good collection of amulets and symbols of good luck.

Thus, you can find coins and gold bullion, images of the seven gods of fortune, especially Daikokute and Ebisu, as well as their Takarabune Treasury ship.There are also otafuku masks or the goddess of jubilation, a female character widely used at the Kyogen Theater, and cranes and turtles as a longevity symbol.

In addition to all this, there are also small replicas of Mikoshi or portable altars, pine and bamboo branches, grains or bales of rice, kitches such as symbols of prosperity and success in business, etc..As you can see, a fate multiplier amulet.

Hamaya arrow

The Hamaya arrow (破魔矢) is a specific new year amulet in Japan.You can buy it in the Sitist sanctuaries throughout the country during the Hatsumode or first visit to the Sanctuary in the New Year.It is an arrow to "destroy demons", according to its literal translation.Thus, buying the Hamaya arrow protects you from evil spirits throughout the year and helps you have good luck.

There are many designs and types of Hamaya, although they usually carry an omamori amulet of the sanctuary and an EMA wooden tablet.This tablet usually has a drawing of the representative animal of the year that enters.

Shirushi no sugi

This amulet is typical of the New Year and is especially popular in the Fushimi Inari Sanctuary of Kyoto.These are small red and white Shide roles tied to a cedar branch next to the image of Otafuku, a symbol of fertility and enemy of anything bad for life, so he moves away the evil spirits.

Legend has it that in the heian period, when people were going to make the way of Kuman.Upon arriving in Kumano, they asked the monks to blessed the branch and when they returned to Kyoto they planted the branch in the Fushimi sanctuary.If he grew up, his wishes would come true.

Animals that bring luck

In addition to the maneki-neko cat or Mapache Tanuki, there are other animals in Japan that popularly attract good luck. Por ejemplo, dice una popular leyenda japonesa que escuchar el canto de un búho (fukurō en japonés) es símbolo de buena suerte.Therefore, owl figures (especially gold or made of glass) are very dear to the Japanese.

Asimismo, las tortugas (llamadas kame, en japonés) son también muy queridas por ser consideradas animales de buena suerte, que simbolizan la longevidad y la protección.Therefore, turtles appear in many temples and celebrations in Japan and are often a wedding gift.And cranes too, because in addition to longevity they symbolize strength and resistance.

Otro animal que popularmente trae buena suerte es el mono (llamado saru en japonés), ya que la palabra japonesa puede significar también «ahuyentar la mala suerte».

Es muy famosa la imagen de los tres monos sabios que representan tres maneras de vivir en este mundo: mizaru (no ver maldades), iwazaru (no decir maldades) y kikazaru (no oír maldades).And it is that the termination of the verb in –caru remembers the term Japanese for mono, Saru.These three wise monkeys can see them already restored in the Nikko Toshogu sanctuary.

And many more regional amulets!

There are many more amulets, especially local or regional amulets such as the Akabako de Fukushima or Sarubobo in the Hida region (where Takayama is located), for example.

When you travel, look good, because you will surely find some specific amulet from the region where you are.

Failure of Amulets in New Year

With the entrance of the New Year and the tradition of the first view of the temple and sanctuary (called Hatsumōde), the Japanese buy many new amulets.The traditional thing is to return to the sanctuary the amulets and decorations bought during the previous year.It is another way of "starting" the year with new acquisitions, renewed luck.And why not say it, the way that sanctuaries and temples continue to finance.

At the entrance of the sanctuaries it is common to find specific places to return the amulets acquired during the previous year and that you will no longer use in the year that enters.It is fun to see how in many sanctuaries they have to make it clear that they do not accept stuffed bears or dolls.Or especially, that they do not accept Daruma dolls, since the Darum.

In this way, last year's amulets are burned by the Sitist priests in a ceremony respectful of the gods.Among the most typical amulets that you have to renew year after year are the Omamori (both those of cloth and wood) and the Hamaya arrows.

However, if you have bought amulets as a memory, you don't have to worry about this.You can keep the amulets all the time you want.

As you have seen, Japan is a country full of amulets and articles to get good luck.In fact, there are many more, since here we have only made a brief introduction.But they all offer us small details of Japanese culture and bring you a little more to Japan.

Entrance originally published on February 12, 2006.Last update: January 18, 2021