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Phrase on lucky charm

4n45t4514

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1 Nov 2016
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Thank you very much for translating the phrase written inside this small box with -- what appears to be -- a lucky charm. I bought this a number of years ago in Kyoto , but I have been wondering since then what this thing might be. It seems to be made of perfumed wood underneath the colourful threads. The rich colours seem to indicate that this is a lucky charm, supposed to "drive away bad spirits", the same way bright colours (such as orange) on buildings or clothes are believed to protect against evil spirits in Buddhist culture.

 
Yes, your interpretation is almost correct, but the lucky charm inside the threads is perfumed shell of clam, not wood.
 
Thanks Toritoribe, indeed it has a shape of a clam shell! I wonder how was it possible to make a shell, that usually smells more like fish, so fragrant -- and the fragrance never goes away.

Do you know what the writing says in English?
 
It's just what it is.

厄除
Yakuyoke
Avoidance of Bad Luck

かおり貝
Kaori-gai
Fragrant Shell of Clam
 
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