Charms are sold at temples and shrines all year round, but some of them are special, being available only for a limited period. One of these special items, traditionally sold only during the first days of the year, is the hamaya a decorative wooden “demon-breaking arrow".

Hamaya is a Shinto specific good luck charm and since each shrine has its own design, I couldn’t help but starting… a small collection. I know, the old ones should be taken back to the shrine to be burned at the beginning of the New Year, but I don’t really follow the traditions… (^_^) So, here’s the newest addition to my collection, the beautiful hamaya of the Yasaka Shrine from Kyoto.

Hamaya, Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Hatsumode in Kyoto, Yasaka Shrine crowd