Protective Talismans

The villagers of Shizu Mura have long lived with the spirits and strange creatures of the Kawa Forest. One of the ways they protect themselves is by constructing talismans from leaves, branches, grass, and pebbles from the forest that are bound together with a small scroll bearing a kanji for "protection" or "safety". Each house constructs their own and the point of the talisman is to smell both of the house and of the forest.
Once completed, the talismans are blessed by a monk or a shugenja (if one happens to be visiting the village) and then they are tied to the home's roof beams, outside its doors. According to the villagers, the talismans confuse the forest's spirits into believing that there is nothing there and that they should continue on their way.
Talismans are left until they naturally fall from the beams, at which point they are immediately replaced with new ones. Villagers will often refuse to enter a home that lacks one and damaging or removing a talisman typically engenders a violent response. Outsiders are granted a very little leeway on this.

Components and tools

Leaves, twigs, branches, grasses, and stones from the Kawa Forest
A small scroll inscribed with the kanji for "protection" or "safety"

Related Ethnicities

• Morikawa Tribe