Returning Omamori: The Art of Letting Go of Japanese Charms
For many travelers visiting Japan, purchasing an Omamori—a beautifully brocaded lucky charm—is a rite of passage. These colorful amulets, found at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, promise everything from traffic safety and academic success to finding true love. However, unlike a typical souvenir key ring or postcard, an Omamori is not meant to be kept forever. In Japanese culture, these charms have an expiration date.
Understanding the ritual of Omamori no Henno (the returning of charms) provides a fascinating glimpse into the Japanese spiritual worldview regarding cycles, gratitude, and purification. Here is everything you need to know about what to do with your amulet once its duty is done.
The Origins of Renewal
The practice of returning Omamori is deeply rooted in the Shinto and Buddhist concept that physical objects can house spiritual essence. When you acquire an Omamori, you are not merely buying fabric and string; you are receiving a vessel containing a small consecrated prayer or the essence of a deity (Kami or Hotoke).
Traditionally, the lifespan of an Omamori is considered to be one year. There are two primary spiritual reasons for this timeframe:
- The Waning Power: It is believed that the spiritual energy within the charm slowly fades over time. After a year, it requires renewal to remain effective.
- Absorption of Bad Luck: The Omamori acts as a shield. Throughout the year, it absorbs negative energy and misfortune on your behalf. Holding onto a “full” charm is seen as spiritually unhygienic, akin to never emptying a vacuum cleaner.
This cycle necessitates the return of the old charm to the earth or the heavens, allowing the user to start the new year with a fresh slate.
The Legend of Fire Purification
The ritual used to dispose of these charms is called Otakiage (burning ceremony). This practice is linked to ancient mythology found in texts regarding purification by fire.
In Japanese folklore and Shinto belief, fire is a sacred element that cleanses impurity (kegare). The smoke generated from the fire is viewed as a bridge between the physical world and the spiritual realm. By burning the Omamori in a sacred fire, the Japanese believe they are releasing the deity housed within the charm back to the heavens.
The most famous manifestation of this legend is the Dondo Yaki festival held in mid-January. During this time, New Year’s decorations, old talismans, and Omamori are piled into great bonfires. As the flames rise, it is said that the smoke carries the people’s gratitude up to the gods. It is not an act of destruction, but a respectful send-off, thanking the spirit for a year of protection.
Modern Culture and Hatsumode
In modern Japan, the cycle of returning Omamori creates a distinct rhythm to the calendar year. The peak of this activity occurs during Hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the New Year (typically January 1st to 3rd).
If you visit a major shrine like Meiji Jingu in Tokyo or Fushimi Inari in Kyoto during this period, you will see massive white tents or designated wooden structures marked as Kofuda Osame-doko (Old Charm Reception). Millions of Japanese people flock to these sites, tossing their old charms into the bins before queuing to purchase new ones for the coming year.
While the one-year rule is standard, there is an exception: Omamori purchased for a specific goal (achievement-based). For example, a charm for “Safe Childbirth” is returned after the baby is born, and a charm for “Passing Exams” is returned after the results are announced, regardless of whether a year has passed. The return symbolizes the fulfillment of the contract between the human and the divine.
Traveler’s Tips: How to Handle Your Old Omamori
If you have an old Omamori gathering dust in a drawer, do not simply throw it in the trash. Doing so is considered highly disrespectful to the deity. Here is how to handle it properly:
1. The Rule of Like-for-Like
Ideally, you should return the charm to the specific shrine or temple where you bought it. However, if that is impossible (as it is for most travelers), you may return it to a different institution, provided you stick to the denomination:
- Shrine to Shrine: If your charm has a Torii gate symbol or plain red stamp, return it to a Shinto Shrine.
- Temple to Temple: If your charm has a swastika (manji) symbol or an image of Buddha, return it to a Buddhist Temple.
2. Look for the Collection Box
Look for a box marked with characters like 古札納所 (Kofuda Osame-jo) or 返納所 (Henno-jo). Drop the charm in respectfully. It is customary to offer a small monetary donation (osaisen) as a final thank you.
3. What if I am Overseas?
If you cannot return to Japan, you have two options:
- Mail it back: Many major shrines accept old charms by mail. You can place the charm in an envelope with a small donation and a note saying “Thank you.”
- Home Purification: If you must dispose of it at home, spread white paper on a table, place the charm on it, and sprinkle coarse salt over it (salt is a purifier in Japan). Wrap the charm in the paper while expressing gratitude, and then place it in the trash separately from your household garbage.
4. Can I Keep it as a Souvenir?
Yes. If you view the Omamori strictly as a memory of your trip rather than a spiritual tool, you may keep it. However, understand that in the eyes of tradition, it is no longer an active protective amulet.
Sources & Further Reading
To understand the deep roots of purification and the significance of fire in Japanese mythology, the following texts offer essential context:
- The Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters): Contains the foundational myths of Shinto, including the significance of fire deities and purification rites (Misogi).
- The Nihon Shoki (The Chronicles of Japan): Provides further historical context on the establishment of shrine rituals and state religion.
- Norito: A Translation of the Ancient Japanese Ritual Prayers: Excellent for understanding the language of gratitude used during ceremonies like Otakiage.