Comments on: Folding Prayers in Japan

By: ciki (mei)

ciki (mei) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:09:41 +0000

hi Abi! i really love your site and am a big fan! I have seen this done in Japan many times. When I watch the earnestness with which the Japanese perform this ritual i cannot help but feel that the paper represent hope and the reader represents faith.. hope for something better and faith that you will find it.

lovely shots. keep up the good blog!

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 10:14:00 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by abigailking: Today’s photo Friday with @deliciousbaby is “Folding Prayers in Japan” http://bit.ly/4DSoFA…

By: Abi

Abi — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:23:43 +0000

@Wanderluster
Thanks! With the Omikuji (the printed fortunes in these photos) you take home the predictions you do like and tie up the ones you don’t. The idea, then, is that the bad fortune gets tied up instead of following you home.

On the other hand, most shrines also have places for handwritten prayers (often on blocks of wood) and these ARE attached to the temple to increase the chances of the prayer being heard. Perhaps I should post a few photos of those…

By: Wanderluster

Wanderluster — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 03:37:57 +0000

Love the closeups! I’m assuming you throw out the fortunes you don’t like and tie up the ones you do?

By: Abi

Abi — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:21:41 +0000

Thanks for all the comments.

I’m curious to know, Cate, did you tie one piece of paper or three? Just refining my odds….:)

By: Lorraine

Lorraine — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:40:34 +0000

My daughter’s good friend is Japanese and they visit Japan every year. I can’t wait to ask her mom at carpool tomorrow about this tradition, it will give us an interesting subject to share. Wonderful photographs!

By: Cate

Cate — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:48:02 +0000

I did this when I lived in Osaka. I wanted fortune and a man oh yes, a new apartment. I got the last one. Nice images.

By: Lucia

Lucia — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:09:43 +0000

It is a wonderful glimpse of Japan. I have very fond memories of being a new English teacher in a rural part of Japan and having my students share this tradition with me.

By: Sarah V.

Sarah V. — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:23:23 +0000

I remember seeing those folded pieces of paper when we were in Japan a few years ago. It’s been a while since I’ve thought of them. Thanks for reminding me of the details that make travelling so interesting!