- Collection type
- Object
- Description
- Amulet in human shape, with "warding off misfortune' written on it. [SM 18/09/2008]
- Cultural groups
- Japanese
- Date / Period
- Date made: Before 1908
- Date collected
- By 1908
- Acquisition information
- Donated: 1908
- Materials and processes
- Material Paper Plant, Material Ink, Process Stamped
- Dimensions
- Width: max 267 mm frame, Length: max 136 mm frame
- Object numbers
- Accession number: 1908.82.351 Other numbers: Chamberlain no. 261
- Research and responses
This object was examined by Professor Itaru Chijiwa during his research visit in November 2008. He noted that this object is a "Kata-shiro". Kata-shiro's are used to take all the negative thoughts etc from you. They are transferred to the Kata-shiro, which is then dropped into the river, leaving the user cleansed. [SM 04/12/2008]
The inscription on this object was transcribed and translated by Fusa McLynn who volunteered at the Museum in 2010 as: (Far right) “Yakuyoke”, ward off evil. (Other 3 figures) “Amatsu harae kunitsu harae”, ward off evils from heaven and earth. [El.B DDF Body Arts Project 2010/2011 13/10/2010]
- Associated publications
- Referenced as footnote 19 on page 75 of 'Chamberlain and his collection: Ofuda and maps from Meiji Japan' by Fusa McLynn in the volume 'Ofuda - On Japanese Charms' proceedings on an international conference on Ofuda held in Paris on the 1st and 2nd March 2012 where Fusa McLynn presented her paper. [FB 14/11/2014]
Search terms: Ornament, Religion, Writing, Figure, Amulet, Inscription, Religious Object