Reader, Ian, and George J. Tanabe, Jr. Practically Religious: Worldly Benefits and the Common Religion of Japan. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press, 1998. Print.


· Amulets are associated with the “pursuit of practical benefits”. According to a Japanese Broadcasting Network Survey in 1983, 75-80% of Japanese used talismans or charms. Most students pray to Tenjin or other gods for success on their college entrance exams (45).

· Shrine benefits: protect from bad fortune (yakuyoke- prevention of danger), provide good fortune (kaiun- opening up of good fortune) (46).

· Omamori are often considered to be preventative. Prayer/text inside of container, kept on oneself, represent/contain the spirit and power of a Buddha/spirit (46). This is extended to Migawari- “changing or substituting one’s body” for that of a Buddha/bodhisattva such that he will absorb or combat dangerous forces (46)
o Gōkaku omamori- success in education, good fortune; Tenjin is a Shinto kami (Dazaifu Tenmangū Shrine near Fukuoka in Kyushu , Kitano Tenmangū Shrine in Kyoto) (46-47) § Blessed pencils

o Page 47-49 lists yakuyoke and kaiun categories
· Many purchase omamori and visit local shrines as their primary religious activities (51)

· Fuda (talisman) and omamori are similar in that each embodies the power of an entity and works to protect or bring fortune to an area (not individual). Fuda are typically flat pieces of wood or paper with sacred inscriptions (67)

· “Religious good luck is also understood to require effort before the desired ends can be realized” (109). Actions are necessary to fulfill religious devotion and better their future (109)

· Many use omamori as “insurance” or “sympathetic skepticism” (127)

· Omamori can now be purchased online without worshipers even needing to visit the shrine(220)
· Miracle story: migawari survived the 1995 earthquake although others did not, protection (212)

· Omamori cost under 1000 yen (in 1996), or the equivalent of 10 US dollars, typically less than ofuda (184); however, often this money is considered a “donation” instead of a “financial transaction”, and the amount of money given could vary (183). money spent goes back to the community (often through service)

· Pay more, receive more? (185)

· Sacred items can be practical: pillowcases (prevent senility), hand towel (traffic safety, prevent workplace danger, wisdom in education) (193)

· Purchase amulet/talisman, treat with respect and reverence, and worship these items. Usually kept on Buddhist or Shinto family alter. Instructions come on the bags of many such items (194).
· Return to the shrine/temple to thank deity for protection of omamori, be gratuitous (195); return the amulet/talisman to the shrine after a year for they may have accumulated bad luck, further ritual to regain purity (196)
· Amulet efficacy is subjective. Ex: woman had traffic safety amulets but got into many car accidents. She was never injured, thus in her mind the omamori were effective (19). Contributes to peace of mind (20)
· Internet sells amulets and talismans wholesale with catalogs to convey products (222)
o Bumper sticker, demon-smashing arrows, key chain, ema plaques, pencils, etc. (223)
o Amulets can be “pieces of paper, carvings, brocade, bells, pencils, dried reeds, porcelain, and a wide variety of other materials and forms” (34-35)
o Izutzu catalog has 90 pages of their catalog for amulets (275+ versions) (223)
o Catalogs are aimed at priests (224)

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