Ofuda
Paper or wooden talisman created and used by shrine maidens, and
Moon Rabbits as a vessel for the containment of divine Ki, not unlike how a spell scroll would work. There are two basic constructions of an ofuda. First is the standard paper slip ofuda, which features the name of the kami whose energy infuses it, the name of the type and purpose of the ofuda, and a seal called a "shuin" for the shrine from whence it was made.
The other type is the far more rare and powerful wooden ofuda called a "Jingu Taima", which has the same inscriptions as the paper one, but also has a paper sleeve around the back and sides that is tied to the wooden talisman with a colorful band. Jingu Taima are most commonly made by moon rabbits, as very few shrine maidens have the power to make them.
Once the inscriptions on an ofuda, regardless of type, are made, it must then be set through a series of rituals to make it suitable for receiving divine chi from the kami. A candle and incense are set up and the ofuda is passed through both three times, and the ofuda is ready. Then the shrine maiden will meditate on their kami, and ask them to infuse the ofuda with specific power, and the shrine maiden acts as a vessel to receive the ki and channel it into the ofuda. Depending on the strength of the ofuda, this process may only be necessary once, or may need to be repeated for many days before the ofuda is complete.
Ofuda are most commonly used for warding of evil spirits, and are thus used on defensive walls like in castles, shrine and temple walls, and palaces. warding spells push yokai outside of their area of effect, and prevent them from entering it. Ofuda are the most potent form of warding, and are reserved for the most important areas. A stache of warding ofuda is always kept stocked at shrines for any locals that need one to protect their home.
The second most common usage is for sealing magic. An ofuda can be used to create a magical lock on a box, door, or other item or place that could otherwise be moved or opened. Ofuda may also be used to seal magic energy, most often dark chi from yokai if the yokai is able to be restrained and the ofuda applied to them. The more powerful the being, the more sealing ofuda must be applied to successfully seal them.
Ofuda are also a much more popular alternate to spell scrolls for those that find use for them. A requisition will be made, typically by the local or national government to the shrine or temple for a certain type and quantity of ofuda, and the shrine maidens of that temple will carry out the order and the ofuda will be collected when finished. The bigger and more important the order and customer, the bigger the shrine or temple that will be requested to fill the order. The most powerful ofuda creators are the
Moon Rabbits who are able to create more powerful spells and effects than normal shrine maidens. The moon rabbit high priestess is the most powerful creator of ofuda. Higher level ofuda makers can even add triggering effects to ofuda if they spend extra time adding them. These triggering effects may be something like an explosive ofuda detonating if the object it is affixed to is moved, or a thaumaturgy effect will take place one hour after the ofuda is activated by the user.
Omamori
Colorful amulets you can get from various shrines that are imbued with the blessing of the kami of that shrine. They are cloth bags with a tie at the top, and inside contains an incantation of the kami. Depending on the nature of that kami the charm will provide a blessing that reflects that. Typically charms will provide small passive boons to the wearer, but only one may be active on you at any time.
Omikuji
A methodology of fortune telling that is done at shrines and temples for individuals who opt in. First you will pick a random stick from a box. Then you will find a drawer that corresponds with the stick you drew, and take the fortune card within called an omikuji. Upon the card will be your fortune, and its details, vague or specific. Trying to game the system will result in your fortune becoming a curse automatically.
大吉: great blessing
中吉: middle blessing
小吉: small blessing
吉: blessing
半吉: half-blessing
末吉: future blessing
末小吉: future small blessing
凶): curse
小凶: small curse
半凶: half-curse
末凶: future curse
大凶: great curse
Shide and Shimenawa
Shide are paper streamers that resemble lighting bolts. These are often affixed to sacred ropes called shimenawa. If a shimenawa with shide is tied around an object, it will mark that object as sacred, and will also purify it and ward off yokai. Objects adorned with either shide or shimenawa may not be tampered with by anyone other than those qualified to do so, namely shrine maidens or priests, lest they be cursed. Shide and shimenawa are not as versatile or powerful as ofuda, but are much easier to make, and require only the blessing of a shrine maiden to become active. For this reason they are the best choice for market objects like trees, rocks, torii gates, and other entrances. Shimenawa also allow kami to dwell within an object marked with them, and therefore may be spots to communicate with them. They do however eventually lose their divine infusement, so it is a common task for shrine maidens to remake or re-infuse them with divine chi, meaning the maintenance becomes more difficult the more there are, and it becomes counter-productive to make too many of them.
Gohei
Wands or staffs adorned with shide that are used by shrine maidens in blessing and purification rituals. They are useful in cleansing a space of dark Ki.
Kagura Suzu
Meant to resemble a branch with berries on it, the kagura suzu is used by shrine maidens to perform the sacred kagura dance, and enhance it with the sound of the small bells. Attached to the bottom are a series of 5 long colorful ribbons meant to represents 5 directions and aspects of the soul.
Purple: North Direction. It corresponds to Aramitama, the rough or violent, aggressive aspect of our souls.
White: West Direction. It corresponds to the Nigimitama, the kind, gentle, goodness of our souls.
Red: South Direction. It corresponds to the Sachimitama, one of the two aspects of the soul that gives blessings.
Yellow: Solar Center. It corresponds to one's soul
Green: East Direction. It corresponds to Kushimitama, one of the two aspects of the soul that gives blessings.
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