Talisman

Talismans created by the Asahina family come in a variety of shapes and uses including streamers, amulets, divinitory items and medicinal talismans. Silk or rice paper streamers are used as protection and can be hung from ceilings and rafters. Amulets are often small, approximately two inches in diameter, and carved in elaborate shapes. Some amulets require placating in various forms such as conversation with it (it would not respond however) or even sustenance. Divinatory items range from chips of bone to yarrow sticks. They can be asked questions about the future and will answer to the best of their abilities. These types are often viewed as unreliable, but their potency and accuracy are often dependant on time between question asked of the item and when the answer to the question would come to fruition. For example a samurai asking if he would have a son could get a vague answer depending on how long until he would have a child, and a samurai asking if he would survive a duel that same day would get a clearer anwer. The medicinal talismans are rare, and are often sought by those about to enter battle. The wood from a peach tree is the most common crafting material for fetishes, talismen and nemuranai, and because of this there are numerous peach trees lining the road to Shinden Asahina. (Crane pp. 34-35)