A woman pauses with concern to read the Omikuji (fortune) that she just purchased. Omikuji papers are drawn from a box, like a lottery. The Chinese characters indicate either good or bad luck, or something in between. A temple shop just off to the right does a brisk business in fortunes, good luck charms, and "prayers." You can buy a slip of paper (or sometimes a piece of wood) and write a prayer on it. These are tied and hung on a stand. Around exam times, students flock to temples and shrines to buy and post prayers asking for high marks.
Copyright Andrew Gray 2004
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