Location: Yakushiji Temple 薬師寺, Nara Size: 8.5 x 10.5 x 1.8 cm
Yakushiji is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the head temple of the Hossō school of Buddhism. It is dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai (the Medicine Buddha), a deity associated with healing and protection from illness. This Tsuko-Tegata carries that same spiritual symbolism—offering wishes for health, safety, and inner peace to the bearer.
Tsuko-Tegata is a kind of wooden passport that was used in the Edo Period as an identity card for travelers when passing from region to region. They had been sold a lot in Showa period as mingei type souvenirs all over Japan. It's also a protector for safety and peace for family.
