Fortune telling is big business in Japan and one only needs to visit a Shinto shrine to find out how many people desire a purported peek at their futures. Omikuji are little paper fortunes that can be purchased for a token fee. The fortunes are general, but can be anything from lucky to a major curse. Should you be cursed, all is not lost. Simply tie your bad fortune to a nearby tree or a stand constructed for such a purpose and your fortune will not come true. There is evidence that omikuji are the inspiration for the fortune cookies at western style Chinese restaurants.