お守(まも)り

おまもり
noun
amulet; charm; talisman
religionculture
1. amulet; charm; talisman
A protective charm or amulet, typically purchased at Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples in Japan. Believed to bring good luck, protection, or blessings in specific areas.
お守(まも)りを買(か)った。
I bought an amulet.
神社(じんじゃ)で交通安全(こうつうあんぜん)のお守(まも)りを買(か)った。
I bought a traffic safety amulet at the shrine.
受験(じゅけん)の合格(ごうかく)を祈(いの)ってお守(まも)りを持(も)っている。
I carry an amulet to pray for success in my exams.
お守(まも)りは毎年(まいとし)新(あたら)しいものに替(か)えた方(ほう)がいい。
It's best to replace your amulet with a new one every year.
友達(ともだち)がお守(まも)りをくれたので、カバンにつけている。
A friend gave me an amulet, so I have it attached to my bag.

Types

CULTURAL NOTE (customs):

  • お守(まも)り should be returned to the shrine/temple after one year
  • Opening the bag is said to release the blessing
  • Often kept in bags, wallets, or cars

Keigo

The お is a beautifying prefix fused into the word: お守(まも)り is the ordinary term, not a polite variant. The base word is 守(まも)り (protection).

Related words

Related Words

Related: お札(ふだ) (paper talisman)
Related: 絵馬(えま) (votive tablet)
Related: 社務所(しゃむしょ) (shrine office)
core
Added 2026.1.17 2:26 · Revised 2026.10.11 4:26
05500/05955_omamori