Omamori
Origin and usage. The word means 'protection', with being the (honorific) form of the word. Originally made from paper or wood, modern amulets are small items usually kept inside a brocade bag and may contain a prayer, religious inscription of invocation. are available at both Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples with few exceptions and are available for sale, regardless of one's religious affiliation. While are intended for temple tourists' personal use, they are mainly viewed as a donation to the temple or shrine the person is visiting. Visitors often give as a gift to another person as a  physical form of well-wishing. Design and function. are usually covered with brocaded silk and enclose paper or pieces of wood with prayers written on them, which are supposed to bring good luck to the bearer on particular occasions, tasks, or ordeals. are also used to ward off bad luck and are often spotted on bags, hung on cellphone straps, in cars, etc. According to Yanagita Kunio (1969): Usage. may provide general blessings and protection, or may have a specific focus such as: Customarily, are not opened in order to avoid losing their protective benefits. They are instead carried on  one's person, or tied to something like a backpack or a purse. It is not necessary, but amulets are customarily replaced once a year to ward off bad luck from the previous year. Old amulets are usually returned to the same shrine or temple they were purchased at so they can be disposed of properly. Amulets are commonly returned on or slightly after New Year's. This way the shrine/temple visitor has a fresh start for the New Year with a new . Old traditionally should not be disposed of, but burned, as a sign of respect to the  deity that assisted the person throughout the year. If a shrine or temple visitor cannot find an that meets their need, they can request for a priest to have one made. If enough people request for this same type of , the temple or shrine may start producing them for everyday availability. Modern commercial uses. There are modern commercial versions of that are typically not spiritual in nature and are not issued by a shrine or temple. It has become popular for stores in Japan to feature generic with popular characters such as Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, Snoopy, Kewpie, etc