お札(ふだ)

おふだ
noun
paper charm, talisman
1. paper charm, talisman, amulet slip
A paper or wooden charm obtained from a shrine or temple, believed to provide divine protection or blessings.
神社(じんじゃ)でお札(ふだ)をもらった。
I received a paper charm at the shrine.
お札(ふだ)を神棚(かみだな)に祀(まつ)る。
I enshrine the paper charm on the household altar.
初詣(はつもうで)で新(あたら)しいお札(ふだ)を買(か)う。
I buy a new paper charm during the New Year's shrine visit.

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 CONTEXT:

  • 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:

  • 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

Related Words

Related: お守(まも)り (amulet)
general
Added 2026.1.17 13:49 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06190_ofuda