divination equipment
- Museum number
- As2001,16.179.a-b
- Description
-
Divination slip (omikuji) made of paper contained in an unopened envelope (a) printed in particular with a date of birth, here 24 January. b: envelope only.
- Production date
- 2000
- Dimensions
-
Height: 9.80 centimetres (envelope b)
-
Height: 9.70 centimetres (slip in envelope a)
-
Weight: 1 grammes (envelope b)
-
Weight: 3 grammes (slip in envelope a)
-
Width: 7 centimetres (envelope b)
-
Width: 7.10 centimetres (slip in envelope a)
- Curator's comments
- Omikuji are slips of paper available in most shrines and selected on a variety of criteria (lucky draw, blood group, year of birth, age, name, etc.). They include extensive text with predictions for the individual in all aspects of life. If the predictions are favourable, the slip is kept, if unfavourable, they are tied to a branch or a frame within the shrine's grounds to ensure bad luck is not carried away. As most predictions contain some element of warnings, omikuji are usually left at the shrine. Some omikuji now include a charm that can be taken by the individual to promote good luck.
These omikuji are chosen on the basis of an individual's date of birth, here 24 January. One envelope is empty.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Good. One envelope has been opened and its flap is slightly torn.
- Acquisition date
- 2001
- Acquisition notes
- Acquired for the BP Showcase Exhibition on 'Souvenirs in Contemporary Japan'. British Museum Department of Ethnography; field collection.
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- As2001,16.179.a-b
