- Collection type
- Object
- Description
- Paper amulet in human shape with a kimono and obi. Stamped on the front with an inscription and a five petaled cherry blossom flower in red ink. [SM 19/09/2008]
- Geographical reference
- Honshu Shimane Izumo Kyushu Fukuoka Prefecture Dazai-fu
- 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, Material Pigment, Process Stamped, Process Cutwork
- Dimensions
- Height: max 164 mm, Width: max 92 mm
- Object numbers
- Accession number: 1908.82.355 Other numbers: Chamberlain no. 263
- 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. He believes that the amulet may be from Dazai-fu in Fukuoka prefecture. He also noted that the five petaled flower is a cherry blossom or "Ume" in Japanese. [SM 04/12/2008]
The inscription on this object was transcribed and translated by Fusa McLynn who volunteered at the Museum in 2010 as: Highly stylized writing, not legible, but words such as “kegare”(impurity) and “akuma” (devils) can be identified. [El.B DDF Body Arts Project 2010/2011 13/10/2010]
Search terms: Ornament, Religion, Writing, Figure, Amulet, Inscription, Religious Object