Ofuda Guide: Where to Place the Sacred Talisman You Brought Home

What Is an Ofuda?

An ofuda is a sacred talisman containing a portion of a deity's spirit (wakemitama). Unlike omamori (charms you carry with you), ofuda are meant to be enshrined at home.

There are three main types:

• Jingū Taima: The ofuda of Ise Grand Shrine, distributed at shrines nationwide. The most fundamental ofuda in Shinto practice.
• Ujigami ofuda: From the local guardian shrine of your neighborhood.
• Sūkei-jinja ofuda: From a shrine you personally revere — often one you visited during travel.

Placement Rules: Direction and Height

When choosing where to place your ofuda, keep these principles in mind:

• Above eye level: Ofuda should never be looked down upon. Place them on a high shelf, atop furniture, or mounted on a wall.
• Facing south or east: The front of the ofuda should face south (ideal) or east. These directions are associated with sunlight and positive energy.
• In a clean, bright space: Avoid placing ofuda near bathrooms or in cluttered areas. A living room or a bright, well-visited room is ideal.

That said, don't let the rules stop you from enshrining at all. A clean, respectful spot where you feel at peace is always better than a "perfect" direction you can't achieve.

No Kamidana? No Problem

You don't need a traditional kamidana (shrine shelf) to enshrine ofuda properly. Modern alternatives include:

• Wall-mounted mini shelves: Designed specifically for ofuda. Many attach with pins or adhesive strips — perfect for rentals.
• A clean shelf with white cloth: Lay a white cloth or washi paper on a bookshelf and lean the ofuda against the wall.
• Ofuda stands: Simple wooden stands made specifically for ofuda. Compact and elegant.

What matters is reverence, not furniture. If you treat the ofuda with care, you're already doing it right.

Stacking Order (When You Have Multiple Ofuda)

If your kamidana has three doors (sansha-zukuri):

• Center: Jingū Taima (Ise Grand Shrine)
• Your right: Ujigami (local shrine)
• Your left: Sūkei-jinja (personally revered shrine)

If your kamidana has one door (issha-zukuri), stack them front to back:

• Front: Jingū Taima
• Middle: Ujigami
• Back: Sūkei-jinja

Even without a kamidana, place the Jingū Taima in the most prominent position.

Returning Old Ofuda

Ofuda are typically returned and renewed after one year. The most common timing is during New Year: you receive a new ofuda and return the old one.

• Return to the original shrine: The most respectful option. Look for the kosatsu-osamejo (old talisman collection box) at the shrine.
• Return to a nearby shrine: If you can't travel back to the original shrine, most shrines accept ofuda from other shrines.
• Dondo-yaki: A traditional bonfire event held around January 15, where New Year decorations and ofuda are ceremonially burned.
• Respectful home disposal: If visiting a shrine isn't possible, you can place the ofuda on white paper (hanshi), sprinkle it with coarse salt to purify it, wrap it carefully, and dispose of it with combustible waste — ideally in a separate bag from other trash. This method is widely accepted.

What matters most isn't the method — it's the gratitude you carry while letting go. However you choose to return or dispose of an ofuda, take a moment to thank it for the year of protection it provided.

Summary: Start with One, Treat It with Care

Enshrining ofuda can seem complex, but the first step is remarkably simple:

• Choose a clean, high spot — south or east facing if possible.
• A kamidana is nice but not necessary.
• Jingū Taima goes in the center (or front).
• Return old ofuda to a shrine after one year.

Consistency beats perfection. What matters most isn't getting every detail right — it's honoring the connection between you and the sacred, in whatever form your life allows.