Located in Kojima, Kurashiki City, Yuga Shrine Honmiya.
A new amulet has appeared at Yuga Shrine Honmiya, which many people visit for worship from both inside and outside the prefecture.
That is the "Kamishiro-mamori" (paper amulet).
It is a tactile amulet made from Okayama Okubichu Kamishiro Washi (Okayama Okubichu traditional paper, hereafter referred to as Kamishiro Washi), produced in the northern part of Okayama Prefecture.
We interviewed about what makes it different from other amulets and the thoughts behind the Kamishiro-mamori.
What is Yuga Shrine Honmiya
Yuga Shrine Honmiya is known as one of Japan's three major Gongen shrines and as the head temple for warding off evil, located on Yugayama.
Yuga Shrine Honmiya has a long history of over two thousand years, being a syncretic shrine of Shinto and Buddhism.
It is famous for various benefits such as warding off evil, family safety, business prosperity, and matchmaking.
Furthermore, the custom of visiting both Yuga Shrine Honmiya and Kotohira-gu in Kagawa Prefecture, known as "Yuga-san and Konpira-san dual visit", has spread as a way to receive even more blessings.
The deity of Yuga is said to be "Yukyu Hitsuo" (有求必應), meaning "a god who will respond to your requests."
Many people visit throughout the year, not just during special occasions like the New Year or shrine visits for newborns.
What is Kamishiro-mamori
Kamishiro-mamori is, as the name suggests, an amulet made of paper.
It was newly introduced as an amulet of Yuga Shrine Honmiya in December 2022.
The material is "Kamishiro Washi", a traditional paper that has been passed down since the Heian period in Kamigo, Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture.
Each piece is carefully crafted, embedding the wishes into the paper.
There are five types of wishes, each characterized by different colors and patterns. The initial offering fee is 600 yen.
- Traffic safety
- Warding off evil and health
- Good relationships and love
- Academic success
- Career achievement
The warmth of the creators felt in Kamishiro Washi
An amulet made of washi is quite rare, I think.
Kamishiro Washi has a long history, just like Yuga Shrine Honmiya, with techniques passed down since the Heian period.
In Kamigo, where Kamishiro Washi is made, there are abundant plants necessary for papermaking, such as kozo, hemp, mitsumata, and ganpi.
Moreover, the water quality is good, and the conditions for papermaking are favorable, leading to the belief that "papermaking flourished here."
Although the washi industry declined during the Meiji period due to the rise of mass printing with Western paper, there was a single craftsman who preserved the techniques of Kamishiro Washi.
People captivated by that craftsman established the Kamishiro Washi Preservation Society.
They continue to cherish and pass down the techniques of Kamishiro Washi.
The concept is "Touch and Appreciate"
The reason Kamishiro-mamori is made from Kamishiro Washi is significant.
It was considered the most suitable material for the concept of "Touch and Appreciate".
The handmade warmth unique to Kamishiro Washi makes you want to pick it up and touch it.
There are also innovations that allow for not just "touching" but also "appreciating".
The colors are soft, and the patterns are intentionally made to give the impression of being hand-drawn.
Additionally, the size fits comfortably in your hand, which is another reason to appreciate it.
This amulet is filled with thoughts and attention to detail within its simple design.
The creators of Kamishiro-mamori are the members of "design unit dolt", based in Okayama Prefecture.
I spoke with the representative, zushi, about the thoughts and production process behind Kamishiro-mamori.
Thoughts behind Kamishiro-mamori from the creators
According to zushi, the representative of the Kamishiro-mamori creators "design unit dolt", they created it with sincerity so as not to damage the history of Yuga Shrine Honmiya and Kamishiro Washi.
What kind of thoughts and attention went into its creation?
Wanting to create a card-shaped amulet
Can you tell us how the idea of creating Kamishiro-mamori came about?
zushi (no honorifics)
It started when Yuga Shrine Honmiya said they wanted to "create a card-shaped amulet".
This is actually the third time I have had the opportunity to create an amulet for Yuga Shrine Honmiya.
The first time was when I was a student, and as part of a class, I proposed an amulet to Yuga Shrine Honmiya, which was accepted.
After that, I had the opportunity again, and in 2022, I created another amulet.
It was a small amulet made of Bizen pottery called "Bizen-mamori".
And this time, the third is "Kamishiro-mamori".
We proceeded with trial and error on how to realize the "card-shaped amulet".
Captivated by the warmth of the Kamishiro Washi Preservation Society
I think the feature of Kamishiro-mamori is that it is made of washi. Was this your idea, zushi?
zushi
Yes, I came up with that idea.
When I received the request for a "card-shaped" amulet, I wanted to find a solid meaning for being card-shaped.
Before thinking about what material to use, I decided on the concept.
That concept is "Touch and Appreciate".
Cards are inherently things you touch. Moreover, as you hold them, you gradually develop affection for them.
With the concept of "Touch and Appreciate", I thought I could find a meaning for being card-shaped, rather than using a typical strap-type amulet.
Then, I considered what material would fit the concept of "Touch and Appreciate", and I thought washi would be suitable.
Why did you choose to make it from Kamishiro Washi specifically?
zushi
Because the members of the Kamishiro Washi Preservation Society were truly captivating.
I had the opportunity to observe the actual production process, and from casual conversations and fleeting moments, I felt that they genuinely love the craft of papermaking.
I thought, "Is there really such a warm person?" as the atmosphere and feelings of everyone were impressive.
I was captivated by their pure and straightforward feelings towards what they create.
I strongly felt, "I want to make amulets together with the Kamiyama Washi Preservation Society."
Attention to size, thickness, color, and patterns
Please tell us what you focused on when making the Kamiyama Washi amulet.
zushi
Not to damage the tradition that has been preserved over many years.
To faithfully express the concept of "touching and cherishing."
I focused on these two points.
For example, the size of the Kamiyama Washi amulet.
In the end, I adopted a size that fits in the hand.
In fact, this was designed with the image of being about the size of a baby's fist.
Instead of a vertical-shaped talisman, I thought that if it were about the size of a baby's fist, it could become an object of affection.
Regarding thickness, I communicated many times with the Kamiyama Washi Preservation Society and focused on it down to the millimeter.
To blend into daily life and to have a presence that allows one to place their wishes upon it when carrying it as an amulet.
I wanted to achieve both of these and made it with care.
It was also impressive that the colors and patterns differ depending on the wishes.
zushi
I thought carefully with sincerity so as not to damage history.
As I looked at the long history of the shrine and materials related to amulets, I could see the tradition of "this color and pattern for this wish."
So, while being sincere to history, I made decisions faithfully.
For traffic safety, I used the tortoise shell pattern that has been depicted in amulets since ancient times, with purple.
For health and warding off evil, I used a gourd pattern that has the impression of absorbing misfortune, with green.
For good relationships and love, I used a circular pattern with red, from the wish of "to expand connections."
For academic success, I used a plum blossom pattern that represents the arrival of spring, with blue.
For career achievement, I used the seven treasures pattern that has often been depicted throughout history, with yellow.
To utilize the warmth of Kamiyama Washi, I have drawn the colors and patterns with a soft image.
Although it is a new amulet, I was conscious of not leaving behind the thoughts of the worshippers while preserving tradition.
I want you to touch and cherish it until it becomes tattered
Please tell us your impressions when you saw the completed Kamiyama Washi amulet.
zushi
I felt that the emotional value of Yuga Shrine Honmiya and the Kamiyama Washi amulet intricately overlapped, creating a one-of-a-kind amulet.
There were ideas for a cool design, but I think that by deliberately leaving a handmade feel, it became something that conveys the length of both histories and the warmth of people.
I was glad to be able to express the values that both sides hold delicately in a positive way.
It seems that it has been well received by worshippers, especially popular among women and younger generations.
I would be happy if it became an amulet that people of all generations can "touch and cherish."
How would you like worshippers to carry the Kamiyama Washi amulet?
zushi
The usage is free, but since it is not strap-type, I would like you to carry it in your wallet or slip it into your smartphone case.
But above all, I want you to touch and cherish it, so I hope you will touch it until it becomes tattered.
I want you to nurture the Kamiyama Washi amulet like you would leather.
The change in texture over time is also the charm of the Kamiyama Washi amulet, so I hope you will touch it a lot and cherish it.
In conclusion
The Kamiyama Washi amulet was created from the overlapping stories of Yuga Shrine Honmiya and Kamiyama Washi.
I thought it was an amulet that conveys both the cuteness born from the concept of "touching and cherishing" and the length of history.
Unlike strap-type ones that you attach to bags, I feel that the Kamiyama Washi amulet allows you to feel the affection that arises from touching it.
Please enjoy the Kamiyama Washi amulet while layering your own thoughts onto it as it changes over time.
