Good-luck Charms
A good-luck charm is a lucky charm in the form of a person's wish. The most common form of amulet is a small pouch with its mouth closed with a string. If worn, carried, or affixed to a pillar, it is said to protect against evil or evil spirits.
The origin of such amulets dates back to the Jomon period. It is said that amulets originated in the Jomon period, when people used to wear amulets to ward off evil spirits. It was during the Heian period (794-1185), when Onmyoji, or "yin-yang" priests, were active, that "amulets" became popular in earnest. It is said that people carried amulets to protect themselves from epidemics and calamities at a time when medicine was not developed and people relied on fortune-telling. 
Maneki-neko
"Maneki-neko" is a typical Japanese good-luck charm that sits in front of a store and invites customers and good luck. In recent years, maneki-neko has been attracting attention from foreign tourists and has become a standard souvenir.
The exact origin of the beckoning cat is unknown.
There is a theory that the cat's grooming gesture looks like it is mimicking a hand gesture, and that is why it is said to "attract good fortune.
It is also said that in the olden days, cats were used to live in houses and stores to exterminate rats that were eating crops, which led to the image of "cats = happiness," as houses with cats are blessed and business is prosperous.
Daruma
Daruma is a doll with the face of Daruma Daishi painted on it, which rises by itself even if it falls down. Daruma is a popular good-luck charm that grants any wish.
Daruma Daishi, the model for this doll, was the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism. He became widely known in the Muromachi period (1333-1573) with the spread of Zen, and became the motif for the "kakigarikoboshi" in the Edo period (1603-1868).
The custom of putting one eye in when making a wish and the other eye in when the wish comes true is still widely practiced today. Tanuki is a very useful person who accepts any kind of wishes such as good luck, fulfillment of a great wish, safety in the home, and prosperity in business.
Tanuki
Tanuki figurines have been placed in front of stores for a long time and are very popular as "lucky charms" in Japan. The most famous Shigaraki ware tanuki figurine is called "Hassou Engi," or "eight-phase lucky charm," and its shape is associated with eight different lucky charms.
The meanings of each part of the figurine, also called "eight-phase engi," are as follows.
- Big hat: to be prepared on a regular basis to protect oneself from unexpected calamities.
- Big eyes: to be able to see and pay attention to one's surroundings so that one can make the right decisions.
- Face: to always smile and be friendly to each other, which will lead to prosperous business.
- Tokutei: to strive to have good character so that one does not have to worry about food and drink (and does good business). A good businessman is a trustworthy person.
- A big belly: to be both calm and bold.
- Big money pouch: to be blessed with enough money to spend freely
- Thick tail: True happiness is to end everything with a firm end.
The Shigaraki porcelain tanuki is not only a cute figurine, but also a figure that offers eight lessons that we should keep in mind on a daily basis. They are also popular at home as "lucky tanuki" that also invite good fortune.
Gourds
In Japan, gourds were used as water bottles and for storing sake. First, the pulp inside the gourd was removed and dried in the sun to completely dry out the water, and then the gourd was filled with water or sake. Invisible holes were made on the outside of the gourd through which water vapor leaked, depriving the gourd of vaporization heat and keeping its contents at a low temperature.
To preserve water or sake for a long period of time, the contents must be kept at a low temperature. Gourds were the ideal means of preservation because of their ability to maintain low temperatures through the use of heat of vaporization.
The shape of a gourd is "end-widening," with a small top and a large bottom. In Japan, the Chinese numeral "eight," or "eight," is considered to be a symbol of good luck.
Fuji, it is said that the shape of the gourd will bring good luck.
In the Warring States period, Toyotomi Hideyoshi used a gourd as a horse marker on the battlefield.
It is said that when attacking an enemy castle, he raised the gourd he was wearing high to signal to his allies. It is also said that he was given a golden gourd in recognition of his many achievements by Oda Nobunaga.
There is an anecdote that he increased the number of gourds each time he won a battle.
Kokeshi Dolls
Kokeshi dolls are wooden doll toys that have been sold as souvenirs in hot spring resorts in the Tohoku region since the end of the Edo period.
In some regions, kokeshi dolls are thought to have been made as a good-luck talisman to wish for the birth of a child or for the healthy growth of a child.
Akabeko
"Akabeko" is a local toy of Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture. It is a lucky charm of a red cow made of papier-mâché. It is famous as a souvenir because of its cute appearance and the way it sways when you touch its head.
There are various theories as to the origin of Akabeko as a good-luck charm, but this time we will introduce the "Akabeko Legend".
The origin goes back to about 400 years ago. A major earthquake hit the Aizu region. The Kokuzo Hall of Enzoji Temple was damaged, and large timbers had to be carried to the top of the cliff to rebuild it. It was very difficult to carry so much lumber to the top of the cliff, and people were at their wit's end when red cows appeared from somewhere and helped them to carry the lumber. ......
With the help of the red oxen, the main hall was safely rebuilt and completed. However, the red cows had disappeared before the completion of the main hall. People called the red cows "Akabeko" to express their gratitude, and they became familiar with them as a symbol of perseverance and strength, as well as a symbol of bringing good fortune.
Katsudon
There are many foods that Japanese people eat before a game to pray for victory, but the most familiar is katsudon, a bowl of rice topped with pork cutlet. This is because katsudon contains the Japanese word for "victory. It also contains vitamin B1, which is expected to relieve fatigue.