魔 除(まよ)け

まよけ

noun

charm against evil; talisman; ward

1. charm against evil; talisman; protective ward; amulet

An object, symbol, or practice believed to protect against evil spirits, bad luck, or misfortune. Encompasses physical objects like talismans and decorations, as well as customs and rituals performed for protection.

玄関(げんかん)に魔除(まよ)けを飾(かざ)った。

I placed a protective charm at the entrance.

この石(いし)は魔除(まよ)けの効果(こうか)があると言(い)われている。

This stone is said to have protective powers against evil.

節分(せつぶん)に柊(ひいらぎ)と鰯(いわし)の頭(あたま)を飾(かざ)るのは、古(ふる)くからの魔除(まよ)けの風習(ふうしゅう)だ。

Decorating with holly and sardine heads at Setsubun is an ancient custom for warding off evil.

Composed of 魔(ま) (demon, evil spirit) + 除(よ)け (warding off, protection). The suffix 〜除(よ)け is productive and appears in other protective compounds.

Common collocations

魔除(まよ)けの効果(こうか): evil-warding effect
魔除(まよ)けのお守(まも)り: protective amulet
魔除(まよ)けの風習(ふうしゅう): evil-warding custom
魔除(まよ)けを飾(かざ)る: to display a protective charm

RELATED WORDS WITH 〜除(よ)け:

虫除(むしよ)け: insect repellent
日除(ひよ)け: sunshade, parasol
雨除(あまよ)け: rain shelter

Cultural note

In Japan, common 魔除(まよ)け items include 鬼瓦(おにがわら) (demon-faced roof tiles), 注連縄(しめなわ) (sacred Shinto ropes), and 鏡(かがみ) (mirrors). 獅子舞(ししまい) (lion dances) performed at festivals also serve as 魔除(まよ)け.

Related Words

Related: 虫除(むしよ)け (insect repellent)

Related: 日除(ひよ)け (sunshade, parasol)

Compare: 厄除(やくよ)け (warding off bad luck)

general

Added 2026.3.29 6:15 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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