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Omamori are Japanese amulets commonly sold at Shinto and Buddhist religious sites. Their name comes from the word meaning " to protect". Their covering is usually a cloth bag. It contains a piece of paper or wood with a prayer written on it. Traditionally you should never open the bag in order to avoid losing it's protective benefits. It should also be carried on your person. Old charms are usually returned to the shrine or temple where they were purchased. This is most commonly done on are shortly after New Years. Throwing them in the trash is considered disrespectful. Old charms are usually burned.