For Exam Takers: Handmade Good-Luck Charms to Wish for Success — Heartfelt Ideas That Truly Convey Your Support
Why not turn your wish for a loved one’s exam success into a one-of-a-kind charm and send it to them? With simple materials like felt, origami paper, or fabric scraps, you can create a heartfelt omamori even if you’re not skilled at sewing.
Beyond the classic omamori shape, you can craft unique designs—such as ema plaques, daruma dolls, or even KitKat-themed charms—letting your ideas shine through with personality.
In this article, we introduce handmade charm ideas to gift to students preparing for exams.
Send your support to the exam-taker in your life with a handmade omamori!
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[For Exam Takers] Handmade Good-Luck Charms Wishing for Success: Heartfelt Ideas (1–10)
chirimen amulet
A protective amulet made from chirimen, a crepe fabric used for various items such as kimonos, accessories, and interior decorations.
First, sew pieces of chirimen together to make a small pouch, then fill the pouch with cotton.
Next, use a toothpick to make a hole at the top of the pouch, thread a cord through it, and tie a double kanō knot.
Finally, tie a firm knot and secure it at the back of the pouch to finish.
Choose any fabric you like, from solid colors to patterned designs.
You could also write a message like “Certain Victory” or “Success” in the center of the amulet and give it to someone special.
Origami amulet
Would you like to make amulets using origami or washi with vibrant patterns? You only need a single sheet of origami paper, so it’s great even if you don’t have many supplies.
After cutting the prepared origami paper in half, carefully fold it toward the crease.
Before finishing the origami, place a slip of paper inside with a wish for success on exams.
Once the folding is complete, attach a small paper label that says “Omamori” in the center to finish.
You can create something as authentic as what you’d buy at a shrine or temple.
Try incorporating the examinee’s favorite colors and patterns, and give it a try!
Ema-shaped amulet
Why not give a talisman shaped like an ema plaque as a gift, with a wish for success? It’s lucky, and it’s also practical because you can put a message card inside.
Even if you feel shy about handing over a message card directly, it might be easier to give if it’s tucked inside the talisman.
Another plus is that it’s easy to make by simply folding paper.
However, since it’s made of paper, it’s vulnerable to water, so be careful when carrying it around.
Attach a string so it can be hung near a study desk or somewhere similar.
[For Exam Takers] Handmade Good-Luck Charms Wishing for Success: Heartfelt Ideas (11–20)
Plum blossom-shaped amulet
A bright and cute plum-shaped good-luck charm that boosts exam-takers’ study motivation.
With a big ribbon on top, it also makes a lovely room decoration.
The key is to stuff plenty of cotton so the circular fabric puffs up.
Pass a thread through the center and divide it into five sections to create the look of a plum blossom.
String the plum and ribbon together, add decorations like beads, and it’s complete.
Using patterned origami or ribbon will make an even more beautiful plum-shaped charm.
Send this heartfelt charm as a wish for success to the exam-taker in your life.
No-sew amulet
A no-sew amulet that even people who aren’t good at sewing can make! By using printed fabric tape you can buy at 100-yen shops, you can create it with a DIY feel.
First, use paper or fabric as the base, then fold it up as if wrapping it with the fabric tape.
Once it’s a pouch shape, fold the left and right sides of the opening inward to form the amulet shape.
After that, make a hole with an awl and thread a cord through to finish! The classic “double Kanou knot” for amulets might be a bit tricky, but it really makes it look like a proper amulet, so give it a try!
A charm in the shape related to a school club
For those who want to cheer on students working hard to balance studies and club activities, we recommend charms shaped after their club themes.
Using soft felt fabric lets you create items with a warm touch.
First, make a base that matches the shape of the charm.
Next, craft and sew on items that symbolize the club—such as balls or instruments.
Writing the name of the person you’re supporting on the ball will help convey your feelings even more.
Sew a ribbon to the top of the charm, attach an elastic band, and it’s complete.
Try making a charm that perfectly matches the efforts of exam-taking students.
A talisman made from fabric scraps
How about giving someone a simple handmade amulet using fabric scraps? You’ll sew the prepared outer and lining fabrics together with a sewing machine.
To keep the layers in place as you sew, it’s best to secure them with clips.
Once the machine stitching is done, use a needle to sew it into the shape of an amulet pouch.
When shaping it, the key is to apply heat with an iron.
After placing the amulet inside the pouch, thread a cord tied in a double “kanou” knot through a hole at the top of the amulet, and it’s complete.
Try making a handmade amulet like the ones you see at shrines and temples.