divination equipment
- Museum number
- As2001,16.188
- Description
-
Divination slip (omikuji) contained in a slim red and white envelope (unopened) decorated with a motif of phoenic and ancient Chinese characters. On the back, pencil markings with the characters for the name Mari in Japanese made at time of collection.
- Production date
- 2000
- Dimensions
-
Height: 6.50 centimetres
-
Weight: 2 grammes
-
Width: 2 centimetres
-
Depth: 0.30 centimetres
- 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.
This omikuji is chosen on the basis of an individual's name. Mari being a relatively common name in Japan, this was chosen to select this omikuji for the collection. As there is no reference to the name on the envelope, it was written in pencil on the back of the envelope at time of acquisition.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Good.
- 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
- As2001,16.188
