A gehōbako (外法箱) is a box that contains many magical items traditionally used by miko,[1] and Itako.[2][3]: 180 [4]: 66 

It means lit. 'outer-ways box', in reference to practices outside of Buddhist teachings. It's a box which contains secret items representative of a protective spirit, or kami.[3]: 180 [4]: 66  It has been described as "parallel [to] the siberian shaman's drum as a source of power[1]: 103  They have been described as representing a pre-Buddhist shamanism.[5] It is often used for healing people.[6]

It is believed at some point in premodern times most miko had Human skulls in their gehōbako from people who promised their skulls to them, but this practice declined over time[1]: 77 

Dolls for Kuebiko and Kangiten were often found in them in the 1960s.[1]: 77 

Gehōbako were common among wandering miko[1]: 85 

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Fairchild, William P. (2021-02-08). "Shamanism in Japan". p. 78. Archived from the original on 2021-02-08. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  2. ↑ 日本国語大辞典, 精選版. "外法箱(げほうばこ)とは？ 意味や使い方". コトバンク (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-02-11.
  3. 1 2 Schiffer, Wilhelm (1967). "Necromancers in the Tohoku". Journal: Contemporary Religions in Japan. 8 (2).
  4. 1 2 Fairchild, William P. (1962). "Shamanism in Japan (1–122)". Asian Ethnology. 21.
  5. ↑ Kamstra, Jacques H. (1967). Encounter Or Syncretism: The Initial Growth of Japanese Buddhism. Brill Archive.
  6. ↑ Vrijhof, P. H.; Waardenburg, Jean Jacques (1979). Official and Popular Religion: Analysis of a Theme for Religious Studies. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 978-90-279-7998-8.
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