Asagaya Shinmeigu: Bracelet Charms & Crescent Moon Prayer Plaques

June 16, 2020

I believe in the power of wearing a protective charm. Not in the sense that it’s magical or it has mystic powers. To me, it’s more of a reminder to yourself of what you want to achieve. This idea is what brought me to Asagaya Shinmeigu.

Let’s just say I found myself in an unfair situation that was brought about by a flawed system, and it put my values to the test. You see, I had to focus on how to fix it, instead of who to blame, which is difficult when you feel like you’ve gotten the short end of the stick. Needless to say, I needed a constant reminder of where to focus my energy, and I felt like an omamori or a protective charm that was always in my line of sight would help. After a bit of Googling, Asagaya Shinmeigu’s “kan musubi” came up and instantly charmed me.

Kan Musubi: A Bond with the Gods

Arguably Asagaya Shinmeigu’s bestseller among proctetive charms, kan musubi is a long strip of fabric with tiny charms, some in the shape of a moon, others in the shape of a shrine gate. It comes in different colors and can be worn as a bracelet or wrapped around personal belongings.

The Japanese spelling for kan musubi (神むすび) includes the character for gods along with the word for “connection” or “bond.” The meaning suggests that the protective charm binds you with the Shinto gods. Personally, I like thinking of it as a reminder to try and access a higher form of self, no matter how low the situation gets. Regardless of what meaning you attach to it, the omamori is undoubtedly pretty. And at JPY 1,200, I’d say it’s a good purchase.

Charming, Dainty, Quiet

Asagaya is mostly a residential area in Suginami Ward, which makes the shrine a quiet place to visit. Besides its pretty omamori, Asagaya Shinmeigu also has votive plaques in the shape of a crescent moon. People say that whatever prayer you write on them, the gods will grant by the time the moon has waxed to a full.

I must say, the shrine’s ability to sell a good story is probably what I love most about it. Lesser-known shrines need to continuously attract new customers, and both the aesthetic and the lore that Asagaya Shinmeigu wraps itself with is appealing to young women. As a marketer, it makes me want to support them more.