お札(ふだ)

Usage: お札(ふだ) is a respectful form with the honorific お prefix. The word 札(ふだ) alone means "tag" or "label."

Cultural note

• Traditionally placed in the 神棚(かみだな) (household Shinto altar)
• Should be replaced annually, typically during 初詣(はつもうで) (first shrine visit of the year)
• Old お札(ふだ) are returned to shrines for ritual burning (お焚(た)き上(あ)げ)

Common patterns

• お札(ふだ)を祀(まつ)る (to enshrine a charm)
• お札(ふだ)を買(か)う/頂(いただ)く (to buy/receive a charm)
• お札(ふだ)を返(かえ)す (to return an old charm)

Related words

• お守(まも)り - portable amulet (carried on person)
• 絵馬(えま) - votive tablet
• 御朱印(ごしゅいん) - temple/shrine seal stamp