This Tsuko-Tegata (通行手形) wooden plaque is a travel charm associated with Hakone Shrine, one of the most revered Shinto shrines in the Hakone region, long connected with safe journeys and protection for travelers.
The front is inscribed with bold calligraphy reading Hakone Checkpoint 箱根関所, referencing the historic barrier station that once controlled passage along the famous Tōkaidō road during the Edo period. Additional text, including 東海道 表街道, evokes this important travel route that linked Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto, making the charm deeply tied to Japan’s history of travel and pilgrimage. The smaller inscription 小田原 further situates the piece within the surrounding region.
On the reverse, the softer calligraphy of 通行の証 (proof of passage) reinforces its symbolic role as a token of safe travel, echoing the function of official passes once required to move between domains. With the braided cord and a small bell, the piece carries traditional protective meaning—the gentle ringing of the bell is believed to ward off evil and ensure a safe journey.
