Kumano Hongu Taisha · Protection

Wa no Mamori — JoJo Creator Charm

和の守

$45

Only 1 available — a one-of-a-kind charm

US duties included · free tracked shipping on 3 or more charms, mix and match

Standard — Japan Post, tracked (about 3 weeks), $8 (free on 3+) · Express — EMS (about 1 week), $25

A two-sided charm designed by Hirohiko Araki, creator of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, linking Kumano Hongu Taisha's own pilgrimage road to Spain's Camino de Santiago. We have only one — once it sells, it may be a while before we can offer another.

Tokyo Omamori Post is an independent shop, not affiliated with or endorsed by Kumano Hongu Taisha. The temple name shows where each charm was obtained.

What it means

Kumano Hongu Taisha asked Hirohiko Araki, the manga artist behind JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, to design this charm. Araki walked the Kumano Kodo — the pilgrimage trail that leads to the shrine — years earlier, and has returned to worship there many times since.

One side, on a pale green background, shows Yatagarasu, the three-legged crow that is the symbol of Kumano and the Kumano Kodo. The other side shows lavender and a scallop shell, the emblem of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain. The Kumano Kodo and the Camino de Santiago are sister pilgrimage roads, and the only two pilgrimage routes in the world recognized as UNESCO World Heritage — the design was made as a wish for harmony ("wa," 和) among people everywhere.

Where it's from

Kumano Hongu Taisha does not sell charms online; we obtained this one directly from the shrine.

We currently have just one of this charm in stock. We have not arranged an ongoing wholesale supply with the shrine (its office can only be reached by phone), so once this one sells, it may be some time before we can offer another.

Form

Woven brocade pouch charm, with a different design on each side

How it's traditionally kept

Traditionally an omamori is kept closed — opening it is thought to undo its purpose. Most people carry it in a bag, pocket or wallet, or keep it somewhere clean at home.

In Japan it is common, though not required, to return an omamori to a shrine or temple (not necessarily the same one) after about a year and receive a new one.

Delivery

Ships from Tokyo within 2 business days.