Gehōbako
Ritual object used by miko
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 is 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
