Tour 5: Cultural Lesson 2 – Omikuji

Posted on May 1, 2013 in Hiroko's Blog

At Asakusa Senso-ji Temple the tour attendees also learned about Omikuji. Omikuji is a fortune telling paper which you purchase at a designated place in the shrine grounds. On the paper it tells various fortunes from good and middle to bad. It also lists specific luck under one’s wish, waiting people, lost items, travel, business, study, stock market!, quarrel, love relationship, moving to new house, delivery (baby), illness, marriage proposal.

In addition to these direct descriptions, Omikuji carries (5-7-5-7-7) poems. These poems are related to the luck shown on the paper. Here Diane is trying to see what her luck is at this very moment.

When you get a bad luck fortune, after reading it, fold it into thin strip and tie to the rope which is set up for that purpose. When you get a good luck fortune, after reading it, you have two choices. Carry it in your purse for a month or, express thanks to the god and tie it to the rope.

The photo shows Diane is going to find out her luck!