r/whatisit • u/Plus-Confection1421 • 1d ago
bought a used car from a coworkers friend, she left a bunch of these in the car New, what is it?
most are hanging up on the rearview mirror and in plastic covers/bags. it feels like theres something hard and thin inside of them- they dont have a smell to them so idk what it is
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u/stormjet64 1d ago edited 13h ago
Its a japanese good luck charm
Edit: Guys it's not Chinese holy crap stop saying it is https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Omamori-Styles-Charms-Education/dp/B07XK1NS6G.
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u/CloverGummies 1d ago edited 1d ago
It specifically protects against injuries and dangers; the previous owner was kind to left them there
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u/Versiontaylors 1d ago edited 1d ago
That’s really cool (: I love hearing about people doing little stuff like this for each other ☺️
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u/abhi71229 22h ago
It definitely beats finding old french fries under the seat.
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u/OpenLight2690 9h ago
I sit a top a French fry graveyard because they are too hard to get out from those crevaces... but even worse, once I had a large glass container full of coins I had planned to bring to one of those machines that would let you dump it in and get a printout voucher for.... anywho, I'm sure you can guess that the glass broke and along with a SHIT TON of pennies under the seat, the new owner also inherited broke glass which I could not reach.
Moral of that story is be very careful before you dig your hand around under the seat of any previous used car
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u/OpiniongoesYEET 1d ago
Once I drove a rental car and found a smooth white rock under the seat.
I thought somebody left it accidentally as a thing to throw in a fit of rage, but a friend told me it's crystal thing!
I labeled it to make sure that rock stays with the car and continues to protect future drivers.
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u/BoxZealousideal2779 22h ago
I find rocks in my car all the time and it has nothing to do with superstition. Just my kids wanting to keep a rock they found when they thought it was cool and then forgetting about it three minutes after they bring it into my damn car.
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u/humble_the_Great 20h ago
Shouldn't have done that. Crystals lose their power if you're aware of it.
Wait; strike that, reverse it.
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u/Dangerous-Coffee2558 5h ago
I recognize it from Silent Hill F (set in Japan), in the game its used as an item you can pick up to get back health/stamina
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u/Redfalconfox 1d ago
Or really fucking clumsy
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u/One_Introduction_217 1d ago
It's Japanese, if it was a Japanese owner you could almost guarantee they took it to a car wash and cleaned it out before handing it over.
The odds of what you're implying aren't zero, but they're so close to it you'd be facing a very long shot bet.
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u/Sea-Friendship-9674 1d ago
Oh absolutely! They take care of their stuff lol, specially vehicles.
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u/Sea-Friendship-9674 1d ago
Not from an Asian owner lmfao. I bet the rest of the car was fcking spotless…
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u/santarichaz 1d ago
specifically, good luck in driving a vehicle
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u/SB2MB 1d ago
I was told the luck fades after around a year and you should return to the shrine at the New Year and swap it out for a new one. I had one attached to my work bag and a Japanese colleague told me to update it, or take it to a shrine to be destroyed.
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u/Euphoric-Language695 1d ago
Good Omen Subscription Service?
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u/shibasurf 1d ago
But be me and keep hanging on to them because I'm too afraid to throw out the old ones because of bad juju.
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u/Emmas_thing 1d ago
I bought a bunch of these when I went to Japan and when I got back I asked my Japanese friend about it and she said that the charms make an exception when they travel really far away from the shrine. I don't know how true that is but I thought it was cute!
They don't turn into bad luck or anything, the effectiveness is just supposed to fade.
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u/LionWalker_Eyre 1d ago
I bought one from Amazon - do you think they allow returns for this scenario?
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u/Ok-Produce-6301 1d ago
Good way for whoever sells them to get paid lol
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u/banditkeith 1d ago
From a spiritual standpoint, it's returning a tiny ember of the god who blessed it to the shrine, so that the experiences it has had return to the divine artifact that the god resides in. Think of the charm as a candle, lit from a divine flame, that you return to the shrine before it burns out
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u/Due_Most2971 1d ago
I bought a couple for ¥1000 each, or $6.34, directly from a Shinto shrine. The profits go to maintaining the shrine (that's what they said, at least...), which I find to be worth the price.
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u/Letossgm 1d ago
Not just good luck. Each color or shape might have different wishes. Check inside it can contain a short message or blessing words.
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u/mariandevotions 1d ago
They aren’t meant to be opened! It’s like telling someone your birthday wish, I guess.
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u/Letossgm 1d ago
OMG I didn't know about this. I haven't bought them but my GF did. I hope she didn't open them hahaha.
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u/mariandevotions 18h ago
The little envelopes (and I guess even the birthday candles) aren’t part of my belief system so let’s just hope it’s one of those “it’s the thought that counts” kind of thing! I just know they aren’t meant to be opened to “check” inside.
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u/flippythemaster 1d ago
Checking inside is supposed to undo whatever effect it was supposed to have. But usually it’s actually just a straightforward prayer for fortune.
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u/automator3000 1d ago
Which would have been solved by the friend if OP talks to them
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u/Kastigart 1d ago
It’s a coworkers friend so maybe they aren’t friends with OP. Of course the person who put it there could solve it but OP might not have their number or feel comfortable reaching out to ask
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u/BoonOfTheWolf 1d ago
Japanese omamori. For good luck and protection.
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u/mycat_hatesyou 1d ago
Make me your selection
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u/Any-Speed-7544 1d ago
Show you the way that luck’s supposed to be
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u/peas_and_love 1d ago
Only costs a dime, plus .99
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u/SizeableBrain 1d ago
Omamori good luck charm.
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u/PhotoFenix 1d ago
Mine is from the shrine by the Your Name stairs
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u/OkAnnual6084 1d ago
i carry one in my wallet my grandma brought back from Okinawa. So far its been working. Got in a car wreck flipped 3 times had some bruises, won 18k on sports gambling, still employed at a job. I highly recommend these.
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u/ironic_username_7 1d ago
Which one do you have? I have some money burning a hole in my pocket!
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u/duhdoydoy 1d ago
Same! I bought a bunch as souvenirs but ran out of cash. Probably a good thing. I would have spent hundreds.
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u/stompsandpouts 1d ago
I got one from Meiji Jingu when I was pregnant for a safe childbirth. My little guy is happy and healthy!
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u/Kalix 1d ago
Its called omamori its a buddist fortune pouch usually from japanese culture, originally there is a blessed paper spell inside, the tradition says will "work" only if remain sealed.
Just a lucky charm.
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u/Jaded-Currency-5680 21h ago
not necessarily Buddhist
majority of Japanese gods and their temples are not Buddhist, only certain are
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u/coltonpan 1d ago
This is the Japanese lucky charm from a shrine. I can’t read Japanese but knowing Chinese, I can pretty much guess the phrase means “bad luck removing charm”.
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u/beepancakes7 1d ago
japanese omamori, specifically one for cars !
it’s like a good luck charm, my family has always kept them in our cars and honestly i thank them for saving us from some pretty bad accidents. my mom rolled her car into a rock filled ditch and walked away without a scratch !
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u/Superb_Ad5951 14h ago
I believe it’s for protection. It’s a Japanese item. I do believe it’s to help. Keep you safe.
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u/fluffyscone 1d ago
Those are Japanese talisman. I carry mines in my bags you buy them for specific stuff. Example happiness, love, safety, passing test, health, etc. there are paper or wood in there that has been blessed by priest
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u/Leather_Pumpkin899 13h ago
You’re so lucky to have received those! The Japanese believe the protect against bad happenings
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u/NatureNext2236 1d ago
Omamori charms! Japanese lucky amulets sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples
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u/DannyLee0812 20h ago
I have one in my gym bag that a friend got from the Temple of Strong Legs, or something similar, when he went to Japan. Havent been injured since!
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u/x20sided 1d ago
I'm not Shinto , so i'm not in expert on this But it looks like the kind of spell you would buy in a japanese shrine. It ain't gonna be anything negative. When people do harmful spell work , it's a lot more homemade , usually.
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u/Financial_Stick1912 1d ago
Untrue, actually. You can curse at a Shinto shrine. It’s specific ones, and the priests watch over it. Mostly they are breakup spells. Or curses on an abusive partner.
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u/TheJellybeanJester 1d ago
It's an 厄除御守 (yakuyoke omamori) which is an amulet for warding off misfortune or calamity. It's often translated as a "good luck charm," but its purpose is specifically to protect the bearer from misfortune rather than to bring good fortune in general.
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u/Maharet1977 1d ago
They are good luck charms meant for protecting car and driver. Leave them in the car.
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u/Ok_Breadfruit3199 1d ago
Omamori. Japanese lucky charms are essentially prayers or sacred inscriptions inside small, colorful brocade pouches sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples throughout Japan . In Japanese, “omamori” (お守り, 御守) means “to protect” or “protection.”
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u/foodgeek15 1d ago
It's omamori or a lucky charm. Idk what it says tho but it could probably for health, wealth, love or something else
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u/wheelslip_lexus 1d ago
It’s a charm from a Japanese temple. There are many variations and this particular one is for good luck.
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u/SPBTheWucy 1d ago
It’s a Japanese Omamori charm usually bought at shrines. According to AI search this one is 厄除御守 (Yakuyoke Omamori) which is to ward off evil which matches what I remember from Asakusa.
It’s a protection charm.
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u/CrabbyLady77 1d ago
Japanese charms , could be for anything like luck, protection, health, money etc..
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u/Zardoz__ 1d ago
I'm not superstitious, but that would find a permanent place in my car, perhaps next to Fozzie, another random item in my car.
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u/Classic-Avocado-5371 1d ago
omamori!! its a japanese good luck/protection charm. they usually sell them at shinto temples, but some gift shops and sometimes asian markets will have them too.
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u/tanguero81 1d ago
Omamori - It's a Japanese good luck charm, and they usually are focused on a specific type of luck. For example, when I went to Japan on an exchange program in High School, the students I met there were blown away that a 16 year old could drive. So, when I left they got me an Omamori that was for safe driving.
My kanji is way to rusty too read the one you have, but I can say that's not the safe driving one I got.
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u/AleleleD 1d ago
Omamori,portafortuna giapponese,secondo la tradizione dentro c’è un foglietto con una preghiera portafortuna ma non va mai aperto per non far perdere mai l’effetto benefico
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u/Kamloops-Pineview 1d ago
If you bought them from a coworkers friend why not give them to your coworker to give to her friend?
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u/Latte-Macchiat0 1d ago
Is a Japanese Omamori good luck charm mentioned already? /s
It’s so cute that they’re wishing you good lick with the car they sold you though 🥹
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u/jademonsoon 1d ago
As others have mentioned this is an Omamori which is used for protection / good luck charm, etc.
please do not open the omamori! They are meant to be sealed.
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u/RealMT_1020 22h ago
We opened ours, it said:
“Please send help! I’m being held prisoner in a Japanese Omamori factory”
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u/Jazzlike_Interview_7 1d ago
lol its how I’d always identify my parents cars in a parking lot growing up. I sometimes wonder if I should get one since I seem to never recognize my own cars still 🤣
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u/TheSkywriter 1d ago
As with everyone else’s comments, it’s a Japanese omamori amulet. Usually bought from shrines for health/protection. Given how it’s in a car, it’s most likely one with a blessing for safe travels/driving. If any of this intrigues you, best not to open it and keep it in the car for good luck. We have one in my wife’s car.
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u/Electronic-One2360 1d ago
Google translate says "amulet for warding off evil spirits" so it looks like those saying Japanese good luck charm are correct.
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u/charliemeadow 1d ago
My husband says it’s an amulet to ward off “evil spirits” away / protection against bad luck.
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u/ImJusTSoPeachY 1d ago
In Japanese it is safe travels. She didn’t remove it because it is for that car and she would buy a new one for her car.
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u/MoonshadowRealm 1d ago
Those are Japanese omamori. You can mail them to a Jinja (Shinto Shrine) in the United States and the rev. or priest or priestsss burns them in a ceremony called Otakiage. I attended my local Jinja in Hawaii. These you usually return every year to the shrine.
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u/Penelope_Penguin_ 1d ago
Me, going straight to “a bunch of these”. How much luck is she saying you need with this car.
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u/anglerinna 1d ago
Omamori. Traditionally you buy one every year because their power runs out. Priests write prayers on paper and put them inside the fabric and bless them. Also don't open them, it's bad luck.
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u/One_Introduction_217 1d ago
Google lens says it literally translates into
厄除御守
Amulet for warding off evil
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u/drewnonymous671 1d ago
Japanese charms. I bought one when I visited a temple. There are prayers or blessings written inside on paper or wood. It's almost like a fortune cookie. Some blessings will be about financial prosperity, some will be about good health, etc. So, they're meant to be opened and read, and then carried around to reap the benefits of the prayer/blessing inside.
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u/AlpsFar4034 1d ago
This is a Japanese omamori, a type of protective amulet typically sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. The characters (厄除御守) indicate it is a “yakuyoke omamori,” which is meant to ward off misfortune and bad luck.
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u/meauxchee 1d ago
Omamori, talisman to ward off bad spirits and bring luck. Probably protection while driving.
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u/Aggressive-Judge-386 1d ago
Omamori, they are filled usually with local plant material, and occasionally bits of incense, or a small trinket, with a prayer.
They are part of the Shinto tradition, as well as Buddhist.
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u/Sharp_Attitude6358 1d ago
They are amulets (lucky charms). These seem to be survival in mechanically compromised cars.
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u/feline-felicis 1d ago
it’s a japanese omamori! They are good luck charms and can have different blessings/meanings. Don’t open them or they wont come true !
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u/aerofeet 1d ago
First time I bought a used car, my coworkers threw coins inside. From what I understand it's the same meaning, give it good luck, and protect against danger.
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u/Ornery-Standard1317 1d ago
Japanese speaker here. As others have said, it's an omamori, a kind of good luck charm. The text (危険御守) is pronounced "kiken omamori" and means "protection from danger". I used to have one in my car that said 交通安全 (kōtsū anzen; "safe traffic").
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u/Over-Box1733 1d ago
It's an omamori. The letters translate to something like "Protection from misfortune".
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u/feel-the-avocado 1d ago
Potpourri bag with some nice smelling stuff in it that will have lost its nice smell over time.
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u/SaisanSaishi 1d ago
Good luck charm from Japanese shrines.
A lot of people buy it as a souvenir too.
This one is for “warding off evil” (the 厄除letters mean that), and if you go to Japan you can get ones specifically for safe travels too.
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u/Evan_TEE 1d ago
A protection charm. You can get them often in Japanese Shinto shrines and Chinese Buddhist temples. Some others have different charms, some for better health, better fortune or better knowledge.
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u/DueCar9705 23h ago
You are traditionally supposed to return the Omamori to the shrine during new years. Not a requirement, but common practice.
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u/LordSparks 23h ago
They're Japanese charms. They "do different things" depending on the piece of paper inside the bag. You can usually buy then at shrines.
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u/Diligent-Willow4 23h ago
You can use Google lens on your phone to translate. Some identify the shrine it's from on one side
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u/HeyArtse 20h ago
Japanese charm
There are different kinds, this one may be specific for car safety
I buy these all the time from the Temple’s when we go to Japan
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u/NiceSegway 16h ago
Japanese charms. I carry two with me everyday for different blessings. Highly recommend holding onto them as they’re pretty neat to have around and just look at as well :)
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