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japanese folk belief amulet collection, somin shorai amulet, kamidana amulet
japanese folk belief amulet collection, somin shorai amulet, kamidana amulet
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Love Japanese Style Like We Do
A collection of old amulets based on the Somin Shorai folk belief, a blending of Chinese Taoism, Ancient Shintoism and Buddhism. The oldest amulet ever found in Japan, dated over 1,200 years old, was a Somin Shorai charm.
The amulets are said to bring great luck, good health and protection from epidemics. Small amulets are carried as lucky charms and larger amulets are placed on the Shinto kamidana (home god shelf).
The amulets are purchased on January seventh and eighth and are not returned to the temple at the end of the year for burning, as is customary. Instead they are kept on the kamidana to continue bringing in good luck and protection. On the kamidana of old country minka farm houses, Edo period amulets can even be found amongst the collection of annually purchased Somin Shorai charms.
The hexagonal shaped amulets, wth a star shaped top, are carved from willow tree, a wood thought to have talismatic and medicinal qualities. They are hand made by farmers after the rice harvest and the blank amulets are taken to the temple where they were decorated and blessed by temple staff, before sale.
Black and red prayers, written on the amulet say (1) Daifuku, 大福-great luck and fortune (2) Choja, 長者-with ample money to live a full life (3) Somin, 蘇民 (4) Shorai, 将来 (5) Shison, 子孫 6) Hitonari, 人也- for the many descendants of the Somin Shorai family.
There are ten pieces in this set. The nine smaller pieces are in very good condition. The very large piece has cracks in the wood and a chip on one corner of the top section that appears to have been repaired. (We have photographed each side of the largest piece for you to see).
A unique collection of folk craft charms, with a long and interesting history, that makes a beautiful and lucky display item.
- largest measures around 28 cm (11”) tall x 12 cm (4.7”) across.
- smallest measures around 9.5 cm (3.7”) tall x 2.5 cm (1”) across
- total weight 1,800 gm.
SHIPPING INFORMATION
- please read the notes in our shipping policy.
- we use recycle packaging and wrap for safety, rather than appearance.
ABOUT OUR VINTAGE AND ANTIQUE ITEMS
We list pieces we feel are worthy of display. There may be scratches, dents, fading and signs of wear and tear. We try to explain the condition of each item exactly, but may miss something.
Information regarding the item and it’s age is obtained from dealers and our personal research. We do our best to give you the correct information but please be aware that we cannot guarantee this information.
Please message us prior to purchase with any questions you may have about our products.
ABOUT SOMIN SHORAI BELIEF
The Somin Shorai belief began in the Nara period (710-794) and is still alive in various regions in Japan, with Kokubunji Temple in Nagano being especially well known.
According to the Bingo Fudoki, and ancient document about Japanese culture and folk lore, Susano-O-no-Mikoto, the brother of the sun Goddess Amaterasu, was travelling disguised as an old beggar and needed a place to stay for the night. Kotan Shorai, a man of great wealth, refused to give him lodging but his elder brother, Somin Shorai, was happy to welcome Susan-O, even though he was very poor.
The next day, when Susano-O was about tot leave, he thanked and taught Somin how to make a lucky charm to avoid getting sick in epidemics. Later, when an epidemic hit the country, only Somin's family was able to survive. Therefore, it is believed that a family who worships the Somin Shorai charm is protected from all kinds of disasters and epidemics and thrives forever. Since then, the Somin family and their descendants have placed a wooden signboard at their gate that reads, ‘We are the descendants of Somin Shorai,’ and they have always been spared of getting any epidemics.
There are two types of Somin Shorai amulets sold at Kokubunji Temple The temple Somin Shorai amulets are decorated with red and black letters and symbols. They are all hand made by nearby farmers after rice harvest and the blank amulets are brought to the temple where they are decorated by the temple staff where they are blessed and then sold as temple charms. These Somin Shorai amulets are sold on January 7th, all day and all night until the afternoon of January 8th the next day. Over 100,000 people come to the market to buy these amulets.
The families of parishioners who have been residing in this area since the Edo period (1603-1867) also make special E-somin pieces. These families form an association called the Somin-Ko, an organization formed by local peasants. Each family has its own unique design. They make blank pieces, then paint them with images of lucky motifs such as treasure ships, Daruma and the lucky Gods, Ebisu and Daikoku. The hand made, highly collectible folk toys are sold on the morning of January 8th, but they are hard to come by as only a few are produced.
The right to make and distribute this amulet has been inherited and passed down through generations of families belonging to the Somin-Ko, an organization formed by local peasants.
The somin shorai amulet has been designated an intangible folk cultural property .
A collection of old amulets based on the Somin Shorai folk belief, a blending of Chinese Taoism, Ancient Shintoism and Buddhism. The oldest amulet ever found in Japan, dated over 1,200 years old, was a Somin Shorai charm.
The amulets are said to bring great luck, good health and protection from epidemics. Small amulets are carried as lucky charms and larger amulets are placed on the Shinto kamidana (home god shelf).
The amulets are purchased on January seventh and eighth and are not returned to the temple at the end of the year for burning, as is customary. Instead they are kept on the kamidana to continue bringing in good luck and protection. On the kamidana of old country minka farm houses, Edo period amulets can even be found amongst the collection of annually purchased Somin Shorai charms.
The hexagonal shaped amulets, wth a star shaped top, are carved from willow tree, a wood thought to have talismatic and medicinal qualities. They are hand made by farmers after the rice harvest and the blank amulets are taken to the temple where they were decorated and blessed by temple staff, before sale.
Black and red prayers, written on the amulet say (1) Daifuku, 大福-great luck and fortune (2) Choja, 長者-with ample money to live a full life (3) Somin, 蘇民 (4) Shorai, 将来 (5) Shison, 子孫 6) Hitonari, 人也- for the many descendants of the Somin Shorai family.
There are ten pieces in this set. The nine smaller pieces are in very good condition. The very large piece has cracks in the wood and a chip on one corner of the top section that appears to have been repaired. (We have photographed each side of the largest piece for you to see).
A unique collection of folk craft charms, with a long and interesting history, that makes a beautiful and lucky display item.
- largest measures around 28 cm (11”) tall x 12 cm (4.7”) across.
- smallest measures around 9.5 cm (3.7”) tall x 2.5 cm (1”) across
- total weight 1,800 gm.
SHIPPING INFORMATION
- please read the notes in our shipping policy.
- we use recycle packaging and wrap for safety, rather than appearance.
ABOUT OUR VINTAGE AND ANTIQUE ITEMS
We list pieces we feel are worthy of display. There may be scratches, dents, fading and signs of wear and tear. We try to explain the condition of each item exactly, but may miss something.
Information regarding the item and it’s age is obtained from dealers and our personal research. We do our best to give you the correct information but please be aware that we cannot guarantee this information.
Please message us prior to purchase with any questions you may have about our products.
ABOUT SOMIN SHORAI BELIEF
The Somin Shorai belief began in the Nara period (710-794) and is still alive in various regions in Japan, with Kokubunji Temple in Nagano being especially well known.
According to the Bingo Fudoki, and ancient document about Japanese culture and folk lore, Susano-O-no-Mikoto, the brother of the sun Goddess Amaterasu, was travelling disguised as an old beggar and needed a place to stay for the night. Kotan Shorai, a man of great wealth, refused to give him lodging but his elder brother, Somin Shorai, was happy to welcome Susan-O, even though he was very poor.
The next day, when Susano-O was about tot leave, he thanked and taught Somin how to make a lucky charm to avoid getting sick in epidemics. Later, when an epidemic hit the country, only Somin's family was able to survive. Therefore, it is believed that a family who worships the Somin Shorai charm is protected from all kinds of disasters and epidemics and thrives forever. Since then, the Somin family and their descendants have placed a wooden signboard at their gate that reads, ‘We are the descendants of Somin Shorai,’ and they have always been spared of getting any epidemics.
There are two types of Somin Shorai amulets sold at Kokubunji Temple The temple Somin Shorai amulets are decorated with red and black letters and symbols. They are all hand made by nearby farmers after rice harvest and the blank amulets are brought to the temple where they are decorated by the temple staff where they are blessed and then sold as temple charms. These Somin Shorai amulets are sold on January 7th, all day and all night until the afternoon of January 8th the next day. Over 100,000 people come to the market to buy these amulets.
The families of parishioners who have been residing in this area since the Edo period (1603-1867) also make special E-somin pieces. These families form an association called the Somin-Ko, an organization formed by local peasants. Each family has its own unique design. They make blank pieces, then paint them with images of lucky motifs such as treasure ships, Daruma and the lucky Gods, Ebisu and Daikoku. The hand made, highly collectible folk toys are sold on the morning of January 8th, but they are hard to come by as only a few are produced.
The right to make and distribute this amulet has been inherited and passed down through generations of families belonging to the Somin-Ko, an organization formed by local peasants.
The somin shorai amulet has been designated an intangible folk cultural property .
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