Shirasaki Hachimangu Shrine Health and Recovery Omamori

Visit any Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine in Japan and you will see it: a small building selling tiny pouches made of brightly colored brocade with golden inscriptions printed or embroidered on them, and with a cord for hanging. These are called omamori, literally "protection," and are amulets that contain special prayers to Buddha or shrine's deity. The reason there are many of them is that each is for a different use. In the case of the Shirasaki Hachimangu Shrine Health and Recovery Omamori, it's for good physical condition.

The Shirasaki Hachimangu Shrine Health and Recovery Omamori comes from the eponymous shrine in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, with a history that goes back to the year 1250. While the shrine takes its name from Hachimangu, the deity of war, it also worships Okuninushi no Mikoto, a god of medicine and protective magic. The amulet contains special blessings from the shrine's priests, so when you hang it on your bag or somewhere close to you, you will enjoy the deity's protection. And if you want to use it as decoration, it comes with a beautiful paulownia wood box!

Specs and Features:

• Deity: Okuninushi no Mikoto (god of medicine and protective magic)
• Blessed by the priests of Shirasaki Hachimangu shrine in Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture (founded 1250)
• Dimensions: 8 x 4.8 cm (3.1 x 1.9")
• Comes with paulownia wood box