Omamori

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A study-dedicated Omamori. The logo above denotes a Shinto shrine dedicated to the kami Tenjin.

Various omamori from different shrines.

Omamori (Japanese: お守り, o-mamori) are Japanese amulets dedicated to particular Shinto deities as well as Buddhist figures. The word mamori (守り) means protection, with omamori meaning honorable protector.

Design and function
The amulet covering is usually made of cloth and encloses papers or pieces of wood or paper with prayers written on them which are supposed to bring good luck to the bearer on particular occasions, tasks or ordeals. Omamori are also used to ward off bad luck and are often spotted on bags, hung on cellphone straps, in cars, etc. for safety in travel. Many omamori are specific in design to the location they were made.
They often describe on one side the specific area of luck or protection they are intended for and have the name of the shrine or temple they were bought at on the other. Generic omamori exist, but most of them cover a single area: health, love, or studies, to name only a few. It is said that omamori should never be opened or they lose their protective capacities. Amulets are replaced once a year to ward off bad luck from the previous year. Old amulets are usually returned to the shrine or temple so they can be disposed of properly.^[1]

Modern commercial uses
There are modern commercial versions for these that are typically not spiritual in nature and are not issued by a shrine or temple. They do not confer protection or need to be replaced every year. It has become popular for stores in Japan to feature generic omamori with popular characters such as Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, Snoopy, Kewpie, etc.

Examples
Some popular omamori are:

Kanai Anzen: For good health and help with illness.
Kōtsū Anzen: Protection for drivers and travelers of all sorts.
En-musubi: Available for singles and couples to ensure love and marriage.
Anzan: Protection for pregnant women during term and to ensure a safe and easy delivery.
Gakugyō Jōju: for students and scholars.
Shōbai Hanjō: Success in business and matters of money.

Πηγή απο http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omamori

How to Make Japanese Paper Charms

By Umiko Sasaki, eHow Contributor

updated: May 05, 2010

Charms are a staple in Japanese religion. Mainly Shinto in origin (although some Buddhist charms exist), people use charms as to ward off evil or bad luck, or simply as a written prayer for assistance at work or school. Some charms are written on wooden plaques to place inside the home, and others are crafted in the form of "demon-breaking arrows" (hamaya). However, the most common charm is the paper omamori that people carry with them, usually protected by a cloth covering.

Difficulty:
Easy
Instructions

things you'll need:

Scissors
Clean paper
Pen
Fabric
Needle
Thread
Satin cord

- 1
  
  Cut a small strip of paper approximately half the length of your palm, small enough to be tucked inside your fabric pouch without crumpling. It doesn't have to be special or sacred paper, but it should be clean and free of scuff marks and other blemishes.
- 2
  
  Write your wish or prayer on the strip of paper. You don't have to write it in Japanese. You can use your native language, but if you want to use authentic Japanese kanji you can research the phrase you want to write and have it translated for you.
- 3
  
  Sew the fabric to form a small pouch. There's no single, uniform way to do this since omamori come in different shapes and forms, but usually the pouch is a rectangular shape that's similar to a luggage tag. At its largest, it shouldn't be any bigger than your hand. You can sew two rectangular pieces of fabric together on three of the four sides and turn it inside out so the stitches don't show, or simply fold one single piece of fabric and sew one of the sides. Leave a space open at the top of the pouch for you to slip the prayer inside.
- 4
  
  Insert the slip of paper with your prayer into the pouch without crumpling the paper. Usually the prayer goes right side up, but this isn't a requirement.
- 5
  
  Sew the top of the pouch closed to form the complete omamori.
- 6
  
  Sew the satin cord to the top of the pouch so you can either wear it around your neck, or hang it in a location where it won't be disturbed.

Πηγή απο http://www.ehow.com/how_6134581_make-japanese-paper-charms.html