2. Temples and Shrines?
Temples in Japan, such as the famed Kinkaku-ji
in Kyoto, are known as “otera”. Buddhist.
Shrines in Japan, such the Ise Grand Shrine in
Mie Prefecture, are known as “jinja”. Shinto.
The structures often share architectural elements
but shrines sometimes have fewer rooms.
Purpose of each differ, however.
3. Omamori
Purchasable from Shinto shrines
and Buddhist temples, can
sometimes purchase as
souvenirs in souvenir shops
Various purported effects and
“boosts”
Good for one year, then should
be returned to the shrine to be
destroyed
Never open an omamori
Contains paper or wood with a
blessing inscribed
4. Daruma
Dolls
In the shape of the
bodhisattva,
Bodhidharma (Zen)
Dolls originated in his
temple in Gunma
Prefecture as omamori,
very popular
Comes eyeless, draw on
one eye to invoke it and
make a wish. When
fulfilled, draw on the other
eye.
Good luck charm in
Japanese households
Shape makes it so it
doesn’t fall down easily.
Symbolizes resilience
and recovery from slight.
5. Ofuda
Written charms used to ward
away misfortune and harm,
standard uses name of deity
and name of shrine
Used to protect households,
drawn by Shinto priests and
blessed
Kind like a big omamori that is
not portable but can protect
whole buildings/groups of
people
Kamidana
Commonly seen in modern
media, but in various ways
Kamidana containing ofuda (center), ema, mirror, offering
bowl, daruma doll, gohei, hamaya
6. Salt and Water
Salt used as substance to repel nearby evil
spirits
Sumo, maki-shio, mori-shio, at funerals
Water is used to cleanse the face and hands
before entering the shrine grounds
Misogi and harae
Symbolizes purification of the inherently unclean
human body and soul
Harai-gushi
7. Setsubun
Families throw roasted
beans (usually
soybeans) to drive
demons away from the
household
Purifies the home for
the new year (February
3)
The modern practice
has changed
somewhat from the
traditional roots- kids
just like to throw
beans, often at their
dads who wear a scary
mask.
8. Superstitions
Don’t clip your nails at night. If you do, you
won’t be with your parents when they die.
Kill a spider that intrudes upon you at night
because they are bad luck (morning is ok
though)
The thunder god may steal your belly button
if you expose your belly during a
thunderstorm.
If eggplants appear in your first dream of the
new year, it is good luck
9. Superstitions
If you lie down right after you eat, you’ll
become a cow.
If a hearse drives past/if you are walking by a
cemetery, you should hide your thumbs.
Numbers 4 and 9
Don’t sleep with head facing north.
Don’t stick chopsticks upright in your bowl of
rice
10. Tradition and today
Many traditions are rooted deeply in history but
are still practiced in the modern era.
Pride in history and tradition allows even obscure
traditions and beliefs to live on in media
representations and elsewhere.
12. Thank you for coming!
Check out my Facebook page for this
presentation and if you have any additional
questions/comments or if you are interested in
learning more about Japan and the Japanese
language!
www.facebook.com/muffinmas
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