We previously wrote about the scented omikuji fortune slips “Kami-sama no Tsubuyaki” (“Whispers from the Gods”), created by students at Mukogawa Women’s University.
Here’s the article from that time↓
We heard they would be available at Hirota Shrine starting New Year’s Day this year, so we went right away while making our first shrine visit of the year!
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What Hirota Shrine was like
This is the approach to Hirota Shrine, and as you’d expect, there were many more people than usual.
Now, let’s pass through the torii gate and head inside.
Unlike the shrine’s usual calm atmosphere, New Year’s brings lots of food stalls and a lively mood.
Now we can see the main shrine building.
This is the main shrine.
We offered our prayers for Nishitsu’s growth and success over the coming year.
The scented omikuji “Kami-sama no Tsubuyaki”
Now, let’s get the omikuji we came for.
Looks like these are the ones.
“Kami-sama no Tsubuyaki” has four types of omikuji: “Beauty,” “Love,” “Competition,” and “Money Luck.” You make a 500 yen offering and receive one of them.
Apparently, “Competition” is scented with thyme, “Beauty” with rose geranium, “Money Luck” with jasmine, and “Love” with ylang-ylang.
Since we were there, we got all four kinds.
Original azalea-shaped ema plaques
When you make the offering, you also receive this original azalea-shaped ema plaque along with the omikuji.
Hirota Shrine is famous for Kobano-mitsuba-tsutsuji azaleas, and they’ve been designated a Natural Monument of Hyogo Prefecture.
On the ema, we wrote wishes for Nishitsu’s growth, good health throughout the year, world peace, and more.
There was a dedicated place to hang the original ema plaques, so we offered ours here.
All the azaleas lined up together look beautiful.
And the omikuji results were…
Back at the editorial office, we opened the omikuji.
Unlike traditional omikuji, each one apparently includes a short message, a “whisper from the gods.”
So, what does it say…?
Beauty…
“Nothing worth having comes without effort.”
Ouch!!
That hit me right in the heart…
My heart hurts…
This year, I think I’ll really try to go on a diet…
Love…
“You’re super cute when you’re in love.”
Seriously…
But when you think about it, that’s true for everyone, isn’t it?
It’s a message that makes you feel positive about love.
Competition…
“The you of today creates tomorrow.”
This is another thing everyone knows, but it’s hard to actually put into action.
When I feel like I’m about to lose to myself, I’ll look at this omikuji and keep going!!
Money Luck…
“Now is the time to spend it.”
Whaaat!?
S-spend it!?
But now that I think about it, Nishitsu has just decided to make a major sponsorship contribution to the fireworks festival in February.
So that decision wasn’t wrong after all.
Everyone, please support the “Nishinomiya Fireworks Festival 2020” in February too!!
Finally
For more about the omikuji, please see here↓
Apparently, these omikuji aren’t limited to New Year’s.
They smell wonderful and come with uplifting messages, so why not try receiving one for yourself?
For details, please also check the official Instagram below↓
https://www.instagram.com/izumi_lab/?hl=ja
