Talismansthe gallery← talismans.guru
Japan & Korea · c. 300 BCE – today

Ofuda & paper charms

Meaning

An ofuda is a paper or wooden talisman bearing a shrine's or temple's name, deity or seal, and it holds a share of the kami's spirit. Famous ones include the Jingū Taima of Ise and the Tsuno Daishi image of a horned demon-monk against plague.

Intent

It is placed on the household altar (kamidana) or pasted by the door for protection of the home and family, and replaced each year. Plague and fire charms guard against specific disasters.

Significance

Ofuda show the shrine's presence extended into every home. The Tsuno Daishi charm, from Enryakuji monks, shows Buddhist exorcism imagery, and ofuda descend from Chinese fu.

History

Ofuda date back to at least the Heian period (794–1185). Printed ofuda spread widely in the Edo period through pilgrimage networks such as the Ise confraternities.

Making yours
Wooden slips (kifuda) 15–30 cm, or woodblock-printed paper in black ink with red seals.
Japan & Korea: the tradition

Japanese protective objects are issued by Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples: omamori, ofuda and ema, each for a named purpose and renewed each year, with old ones returned for ritual burning. Engimono (luck objects) such as maneki-neko and daruma dolls grew out of Edo-period popular culture. Ancient magatama link the modern imperial regalia to the Jōmon and Kofun eras. Korea's shamanic tradition produced bujeok paper talismans, and the norigae pendant turned protective charms into women's court jewellery.

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Träsnitt, ofuda amulet from JapanTräsnitt, ofuda amulet from JapanJapanOfuda 御札Ofuda 御札JapanOnominato Shrine Ujikofuda darkOnominato Shrine Ujikofuda darkTalisman Against DiseaseTalisman Against DiseaseJapanOfuda amulet from JapanOfuda amulet from JapanJapanOfuda 御札Ofuda 御札JapanSuiten-gū (Chuo, Tokyo)-Omikuji envelopeSuiten-gū (Chuo, Tokyo)-Omikuji envelopeamulet, woodcut, amulet, ofudaamulet, woodcut, amulet, ofudaJapanOfuda 御札Ofuda 御札JapanJingu taimaJingu taimaTräsnitt, ofuda amulet from JapanTräsnitt, ofuda amulet from JapanJapanOfuda 御札Ofuda 御札JapanJingu taima coverJingu taima coveramulet, woodcut, amulet, ofudaamulet, woodcut, amulet, ofudaJapanKajikimen (鹿食免)Kajikimen (鹿食免)Träsnitt, ofuda amulet from JapanTräsnitt, ofuda amulet from JapanJapanOfuda at hostelOfuda at hostelamulet, woodcut, amulet, ofudaamulet, woodcut, amulet, ofudaJapanOnominato Shrine Ujikofuda-1Onominato Shrine Ujikofuda-1Träsnitt, ofuda amulet from JapanTräsnitt, ofuda amulet from JapanJapanŌmuroyama Sengen Jinja OfudaŌmuroyama Sengen Jinja OfudaTräsnitt, ofuda amulet from JapanTräsnitt, ofuda amulet from JapanJapan火迺要慎 (12175545195)火迺要慎 (12175545195)Träsnitt, ofuda amulet from JapanTräsnitt, ofuda amulet from JapanJapanJingu taima gakuJingu taima gakuOfuda amulet from JapanOfuda amulet from JapanJapanKoujin yamaKoujin yamaOfuda from Yanagidani KannonOfuda from Yanagidani KannonWooden lantern, Chikata Shrine, Kumagaya - Aug 28, 2026Wooden lantern, Chikata Shrine, Kumagaya - Aug 28, 2026宗像大社沖津宮護符宗像大社沖津宮護符念願の高尾山ステッカーを手に入れたぞ (1446557651)念願の高尾山ステッカーを手に入れたぞ (1446557651)Amulet paper charm of COVID-19 in Yokawa, EnryakujiAmulet paper charm of COVID-19 in Yokawa, EnryakujiOfudaOfudaOnominato Shrine Ujikofuda front oldOnominato Shrine Ujikofuda front oldOsamefrda1Osamefrda1Tsunodaishi MyohojiTsunodaishi Myohoji神宝宮 (5330866160)神宝宮 (5330866160)Chintaku Reifu (鎮宅霊符)Chintaku Reifu (鎮宅霊符)Kertas mantraKertas mantraOfuda from Kegon-JiOfuda from Kegon-JiOmamori Kinkaku-ji Ginkaku-jiOmamori Kinkaku-ji Ginkaku-jiOnominato Shrine Ujikofuda-2Onominato Shrine Ujikofuda-2Suiten-gū (Chuo, Tokyo)-OfudaSuiten-gū (Chuo, Tokyo)-Ofuda老店惡童 (11306112734)老店惡童 (11306112734)西野神社竈神鎮火札西野神社竈神鎮火札14 Santuari xintoista de Shiramine-jingu (Kyoto), tauletes de la bona sort (mamorifuda)14 Santuari xintoista de Shiramine-jingu (Kyoto), tauletes de la bona sort (mamorifuda)Amulet return at Fukagawa FudosonAmulet return at Fukagawa FudosonFukukai-ji Ebisuko Ofuda(amulet) counterFukukai-ji Ebisuko Ofuda(amulet) counterOfuda ArrangementOfuda ArrangementOnominato Shrine Ujikofuda reverse oldOnominato Shrine Ujikofuda reverse oldŌharaeshiki Shugo-fuda - 大祓式守護札Ōharaeshiki Shugo-fuda - 大祓式守護札神札 - Ofuda神札 - OfudaEeJaNaiKaSceneEeJaNaiKaSceneMamori harai of Ise Grand ShrineMamori harai of Ise Grand ShrineOfuda jyuni gatsu nijyugo nichiOfuda jyuni gatsu nijyugo nichiお守り (2895042886)お守り (2895042886)

More from Japan & Korea: Omamori · Ema votive plaques · Magatama · Engimono lucky figures · Korean bujeok & norigae
Every type in the gallery

Anything in the gallery can be made, by hand, in the prescribed metal or yours and, where the tradition names an hour, at that hour or with a plain note that it was not. Numbered. Price on commission, quoted first. I reply within one business day.