Japanese people traditionally receive Engimono during the New Year season to bring in good luck for the New Year. Please display Engimono high on the north or west wall, or put them on a shelf in your living room or workplace. One year after receiving an Engimono, we recommend you replace it with a new one.

If you would like to request one or more of our Shinto Items, please use the Request Form.

After we received your request form, we will send an email and a PayPal donation invoice which will include sales tax (where applicable), and shipping fees.

NEW!! Gold Hamaya (Decorative Arrow) 金の破魔矢
Donation/初穂料: $40.00 each

It is gold Kaburaya type Hamaya. It is blessed for warding off evil.

金の鏑矢タイプの破魔矢です。魔を寄せ付けないようご祈祷した縁起物です。

Kumade (Bamboo Rake) Large 熊手(大)
Donation/初穂料: $40.00 each

This Kumade is blessed so you can “rake” in happiness, good luck, money, and success in business. 福徳をかき集められるようご祈祷した縁起物です。

Hamaya (Decorative Arrow) 破魔矢
Donation/初穂料: $25.00 each

This Hamaya is blessed for warding off evil. 魔を寄せ付けないようご祈祷した縁起物です。

Hamayumi (Decorative Arrow & Bow) 破魔弓
Donation/初穂料: $30.00 each

This Hamayumi is blessed for warding off evil. 弓と矢がセットになっているもので、「破魔矢」と同じように魔を寄せ付けないようご祈祷した縁起物です。

Kumade (Bamboo Rake) Small 熊手(小)
Donation/初穂料:$25.00 each

This Kumade is blessed so you can “rake” in happiness, good luck, money, and success in business. 福徳をかき集められるようご祈祷した縁起物です。

Mini Chinowa
It is only sent as part of the Nagoshi-no-Harae Package. 夏越之祓パッケージをお申し込みの方に頒布しています。

Legend has it that this mini Chinowa wards against bad luck.

Please treat the mini Chinowa the same as you would other Ofuda.

Please hang the mini Chinowa on or by the kamidana. If you do not have a kamidana, hang the Chinowa next to or below the Ofuda.

 

Origin of Chinowa

The Nagoshi-no-Harae is used in addition to the hitogata to recharge our spirits. It is customary to walk through a Chinowa, giant circle of reeds which is thought to help keep us safe from sickness and plague. Since ancient times in Japan, it has been said that this time of year, as summer arrives, plagues tend to strike. It is for this reason that we practice the Nagoshi-no-Harae ritual (including walking through the Chinowa) to offer prayers against misfortune, to recharge our spirits, and to avoid illness.

The origins of the Chinowa custom can be traced to ancient Japan, where it is connected with the stories of the Kami-sama, Susanoo.

One time when Susanoo was traveling, he sought a place to stay overnight. He visited the house of the richest man in the village, Kotan Shōrai, but Kotan refused. So Susanoo went to the house of Somin Shōrai, a poor man and older brother of Kotan. Somin welcomed Susanoo into his house, and, in return, Susanoo advised him to carry small Chinowa for protection.

Sometime after Susanoo left, a deadly plague arrived in the village, killing everyone except the daughter of Somin, who was protected by the Chinowa she carried with her. Susanoo returned to the village and said to her, “In times of plague, if you wear a Chinowa at your waist and declare aloud that you are the descendant of Somin Shōrai, you will be protected.” As this story spread, people began wearing Chinowa for protection against illness and misfortune. It is thought that people transitioned to walking through giant Chinowa instead of wearing them during the Edo period.

Chinowa are woven of reeds, which since ancient times is said to be a spiritual plant with the power to ward away evil spirits and prevent bad luck.

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