Omamori

O-mamori (御守 or お守り o-mamori^?) are Japanese amulets (charms, talismans) commonly sold at religious sites and dedicated to particular Shinto deities as well as Buddhist figures, and may serve to provide various forms of luck or protection.

O-mamori may provide general blessings and protection, or may have a specific focus such as:

• kōtsū-anzen: traffic safety. Protection for drivers and travelers of all sorts,
• yaku-yoke: avoidance of evil,
• kaiun: open luck, better fortune,
• gakugyō-jōju: education and passing the examination. For students and scholars,
• shōbai-hanjō: prosperity in business. Success in business and matters of money,
• en-musubi: acquisition of a mate and marriage. Available for singles and couples to ensure love and marriage,
• anzan: protection for pregnant women for a healthy pregnancy and easy delivery,
• kanai-anzen: safety (well-being) of one's family; peace and prosperity in the household.

Customarily, o-mamori should never be opened in order to avoid losing their protective benefits, and should be carried on one's person, or tied to a backpack, purse, etc. Amulets are 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. It is most common for amulets to be returned on or slightly after New Year’s.

If a shrine or temple visitors cannot find an o-mamori that meets their need they can request from a priest to have one made special for their area of particular concern. If enough people request for this same type of o-mamori, the temple or shrine may start producing them for everyday availability.