Brand new general purpose
Shinto omamori designed to ward evil and ensure good fortune. A small, gold-colored metal charm is contained within a lidded plastic case shaped to resemble an old fashioned Japanese
inro.
Inro were once used in Japan as medicine pouches and would commonly be attached to the user's
kimono obi and allowed to hang at the waist. Japanese writing on the case includes the word '
omamori' on the front just above the family crest of
Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. Writing on the back of the case identifies the name of the shrine '
Kunouzan Toushougu' where the
omamori was acquired. This shrine is dedicated to the deified spirit of
Tokugawa Ieyasu who unified Japan in 1600 and founded the
Tokugawa Shogunate which ruled Japan during the long and peaceful
Edo period (1600-1868). Only 15 days before his death in 1616
Tokugawa Ieyasu instructed that his cremated remains should be placed atop Mt. Kuno (close to where he was raised) for one year, after which point they were to be moved to a specially built shrine at
Nikko in
Tochigi prefecture. The
omamori offered here comes from the shrine atop Mt. Kuno where the Shogun's remains were kept during that one year period after his death. The shrine is approached via an impressive stone staircase leading up from the shore of the bay or via a ropeway tram crossing a deep gorge (please see video at right).
Kunouzan Toushougu shrine is richly decorated and features many impressive examples of the famous
Tokugawa family crest (
kamon in Japanese).
View all available omamori!
More about the Shinto religion
Shinto is one of the two major religions of Japan (the other is Buddhism). Shinto is often considered to bethe native religion of Japan, and is as old as Japan itself. The name Shinto means 'the way of the gods.' Shinto is a pantheistic religion, in which many thousands of major and minor gods are thought to exist. The Japanese have built thousands of shrines (jinja) throughout the country to honor and worship these gods. Some shrines are huge and are devoted to important deities while other shrines are small and may be easily missed when strolling along roads in the countryside.
Shinto gods are called kami. Kami are thought to have influence on human affairs, and for this reason many Japanese make regular pilgrimage to community shrines in order to offer prayers to local kami. The act of prayer involves approaching the shrine structure, passing through the gate-like torii, cleansing the hands and mouth with water and possibly ascending stairs to the main entrance of the shrine. Usually without entering the shrine the worshipper will throw some coins into a stone or wooden collection box and then rattle the suzu bell which is at the top of a long hemp rope. The worshiper grabs hold of the rope and shakes it back and forth causing the copper bell at the top to rattle. This is thought to get the attention of the shrine god. The worshipper then bows twice, claps his or her hands twice and then bows again. In addition, the worshipper may clasp their hands together in silent prayer. Shintoism and Buddhism have managed to find a comfortable coexistence in Japan. Evidence of this harmonious relationship is found in the fact that that most Japanese are married in a Shinto shrine, but buried by a Buddhist priest.
omamori item code: INV-0000072_10
omamori category code: (sacred_object)
omamori ship code: ENV
