The Tactile Embodiment of Talismanic Power: The Case of Three Buddhist Talismans in Chosŏn Korea

As a form of state-of-the-art “wearable technology” in their historical contexts, talismans functioned as instruments of protection, privilege, and prescription for believers. While scholarly attention has extensively examined the visual potency of Buddhist talismans and the materiality of inked dhāraṇī in medieval China, the role of tactile engagement in manifesting talismanic efficacy remains underexplored. This study addresses this gap by analyzing three distinct yet interconnected cases: talismans printed on armor, textual pagoda print, and a Pure Land talisman from Chosŏn Korea. By moving beyond conventional visual and auditory frameworks, it highlights the centrality of tactile interaction and affordance in the activation of talismanic power. Ultimately, this study situates talismans as multisensory devices and argues that their tactile dimensions and design were integral to the embodiment of their efficacy.