Omikuji at Yasaka Shrine

In the Shinto tradition the communication with kami is direct, without a priest. There are several ways to do it, such as prayers (hairei), messages on votive plaques (ema) and a divination system with omikuji, random fortunes.

The omikuji are written strips of paper extracted from a wooden cylinder (the traditional way) or from a vending machine (more modern). If the prediction written on paper is good, the omikuji is kept, but if the prediction is not satisfactory, it can be improved by tying it on special racks, as in the photo. The reason is that this way the bad luck will remain tied there...