In my daily work, I handle objects that have been passed down through generations,
valuing their background, stories, and history.
…Or at least, that’s what I say now.
To be honest, I used to have absolutely no interest in history or antiques.
“Historical dramas? Too long, too complicated.”
“Kamakura? Just a vague memory from a school trip.”
That was me.
But then, one day,
I happened to watch the NHK historical drama
“The 13 Lords of the Shogun.”
…and before I knew it,
I was in Kamakura.
Not just for casual sightseeing—
it was a full-on pilgrimage.
I visited each shrine and temple seriously, one by one.
“This is where Yoshitoki…”
“This is where Yoritomo…”
Muttering to myself as I walked around,
I had completely turned into a history enthusiast.
And then there were the omamori.
At first, I bought just one as a small souvenir.
But somehow, my bag soon started filling up.
The next week, I was back in Kamakura.
And the week after that.
Rain or shine. Even in the summer heat.
Before I knew it,
the person who once had no interest in history
had fallen completely in love with Kamakura—
and somehow,
ended up with a full collection of omamori.
I never imagined I would become
a “history enthusiast” and an “omamori collector.”
Life really does take unexpected turns. (smile)
This year’s historical drama has been just as captivating.
From Japan.
— WabiSabi Asobee

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