銭洗弁天神社のお守り A Charm from Zeniarai Benten Shrine

The first thing people say when they see this omamori, if they say anything: "Is that the triforce?"

Well, yeah, it looks just like the triforce, a symbol from the Zelda video game series. But I think the Buddhists have dibs on it first. Actually, not even the Buddhists. The triforce symbol here is a kamon, or Japanese crest, of the powerful Hojo family. In the Zelda games, its the symbol of the three goddesses that created the Hyrule universe, the three triangles representing power, wisdom, and courage.

Anyway, the Zeniarai Benten Shrine is filled with the Hojo family kamon. (The full name of the shrine is Zeniarai Benzaiten Ugafuku Shrine, but WHO wants to write that out?) Zeniarai Benten Shrine is well worth the visit, if you can find it. You approach the shrine through a tunnel in the rock. It's famous for its spring, one of the sacred springs of Kamakura. I don't know when the shrine was built, but the traditions associated with the shrine began in the thirteenth century at the latest. People believe that washing money in the shrine will help it multiply, so many wash yen bills and coins in reed baskets and let it dry out.

The shrine is a mixture of Buddhist and Shinto elements. Incense, traditionally Buddhist, is burned there, and the Shinto goddess worshipped at Zeniarai Benten Shrine is believed to have been originally a Buddhist deity. During the Meiji period, many shrines and temples that mixed purposes and characteristics between the religions were separated, and this shrine is one of the few that remains an amalgamation. Dark caves, trickling water, incense, and enthused crowds.

Of course, I picked out this omamori because of the triforce kamon. But you can also buy blessed wallets, change purses, and other omamori to protect your money. Happy shopping.