IT is cheating a bit but much easier to cut and paste.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omamori

The amulet covering is usually made of cloth and encloses papers or pieces of wood with prayers written on them which are supposed to bring good luck to the bearer on particular occasions, tasks or ordeals. Omamori are also used to ward off bad luck and are often spotted on bags, hung on cellphone straps, in cars, etc. for safety in travel. Many omamori are specific in design to the location they were made.

They often describe on one side the specific area of luck or protection they are intended for and have the name of the shrine or temple they were bought at on the other. Generic omamori exist, but most of them cover a single area: health, love, or studies, to name only a few. More recently it has become popular for stores in Japan to feature generic omamori with popular characters such as Mickey Mouse, Hello Kitty, Snoopy, Kewpie, etc.[1]

It is said that omamori should never be opened or they lose their protective capacities. They are also only good for one year and after a year, they should be returned to the shrine or temple so they can be disposed of properly.

To read more go to the above link.

Thanks for the info, Suzume. That is very similar to a mezuzah in Judaism or one of the typical native American talismans.

I apologize for not postin in this forum in a while, and will see what I can do about getting more information up.

You are welcome.
Yes.. Shinto is very much like Native American religion or any that is nature based.

Shinto and things Shinto, are old as time and in no way organized.

That is OK.. I am not on here as much as I would like to be, either.