Otafuku/Okame Mask

The white mask is that of the ever-smiling Otafuku, or Okame, sometimes referred to as the Goddess of Mirth.  Her names in Japanese are derived from a play on words of fuku, meaning luck or fortune, and kame, the word for a turtle which in turn represents longevity. She is believed to bring good fortune to those she marries. This mask is commonly used in comic kyōgen theatre.

Daruma 

A Daruma doll is another talisman of good fortune, and is often associated with the spirit of perseverance. It is a representation of Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism who is reported to have sat in a cave for nine years without moving.

The dolls were originally designed to remain upright even when tipped, lending to the idea of always picking oneself up after knockbacks and carrying on to achieve a goal. Daruma may come in a variety of colours, though the most common is red - thought to ward off evil and bring good luck. The blank eyes of a daruma doll are painted in at two different points throughout the year; one eye at the beginning of the year when a wish is made, and the second at the end of the year, when the wish comes true. Regardless of the successes of its owner, daruma used in this way are commonly returned to temples towards the end of the year to be ceremonially burned. The kanji symbol painted on the chest of a daruma may vary, though often includes words related to good fortune. In this instance the daruma on display within the kumade at Japan House reads: fukuiri, meaning it contains good luck. 

Three Friends of Winter

The ‘Three Friends of Winter’, taken from Chinese tradition, are pine, bamboo and plum blossom or Sho Chiku Bai in Japanese. These plants do not wither during the cold months and together they symbolize steadfastness, perseverance and resilience: the pine tree lives long, the bamboo grows straight and vigorously while the plum blossoms appear even when there is snow on the ground and is the first tree to bear flowers in spring. They appear together in many forms of New Year decoration.

Image: Three Friends of Winter (Triptych) by TAKI Katei (1830–1901). 

Sea Bream

Tai – the Japanese word for sea bream – forms the final part of the Japanese word omedetai, meaning auspicious or celebratory. This fish is therefore associated with times of luck and good fortune. Ebisu, the Japanese God of Luck, is often depicted with a freshly caught sea bream under his arm. This fish’s red colouring is another reason for its association with good luck. 

Crane and Turtle

The crane and turtle are often seen together as symbols of longevity. The phrase ‘tsuru sen-nen, kami man-nen’, means ‘the crane lives 1,000 years, the turtle 10,000’. In cultural references, the slow-moving turtle is also often a symbol of thoughtful consideration or wisdom. Senbazuru – the act of folding 1,000 origami cranes - is believed to help grant wishes. 

Seven Gods of Fortune - Shichi Fukujin

These seven figures each represent a different god of good fortune. Their origins hail from China and India, with just one - Ebisu – originating in Japan. Representing good health, knowledge, longevity, happiness, wealth, art and beauty, each of the gods are seen in the kumade display riding on the Treasure Ship (Takara-bune) which is said to be piloted by the Seven Gods of Fortune through the heavens at the start of the New Year. 

Shogi Piece with Reverse ‘Horse’ Character

Shogi is a Japanese board game similar to chess, made up of many wooden pieces (koma). Kazari Goma (lit. decorative pieces) are larger-scale, decorative versions of shogi pieces, which are typically hung in front of restaurants and homes to bring good fortune. These decorative objects were developed in Tendo in Yamagata Prefecture, which is a famous producer of shogi pieces. The number of craftsmen making them has diminished in recent years, with Tendo the primary production area for all of Japan. On the kazari goma displayed on the kumade at Japan House, the character depicted is of hidari uma, literally, ‘left-facing horse’. This symbol is a mirrored image of the Japanese character for horse, uma. Read backwards using the Japanese syllabary, it becomes mau, meaning ‘to dance’ – such wordplay is common in Japan. With dancing common to celebrations and festivities in Japan, the word takes on associations of positivity and good luck.