Japanese Lucky Charms (Engimono) and Their Meanings

You've probably seen them, those cute cat statues with one paw raised, as if waving you in. Known as maneki-neko, or "beckoning cats," these feline figurines are not just adorable, they're symbols of luck, wealth, and protection that have been bringing good fortune to homes and businesses in Japan for centuries. Whether you're starting a new venture or just love the idea of a magical cat cheering you on, a maneki-neko makes for the perfect companion.

Legends vary, but many tell of an impoverished shopkeeper or temple priest who took in a stray cat despite having little to give. In return, the cat used its enigmatic charm to attract would-be patrons or even save lives, depending on the version you hear. These stories cemented the belief that cats could summon good fortune, a belief that remains strong even today.

Maneki-neko often feature either the right paw raised (to attract wealth) or the left paw raised (to bring in people and connections). They come in a variety of colors and decorations, each reflecting a different kind of blessing, though interpretations can vary by region, artist, or even personal belief. Whether perched by a shop entrance or sitting quietly on a shelf, each fortune feline carries a centuries-old wish: that good fortune finds its way to you.

With its round shape and intense stare, Daruma is Japan's iconic symbol of perseverance and goal-setting. You fill in one eye when you make a wish or set a goal, then color in the other only when it's achieved, making it a quirky, yet powerful, reminder to never give up. Inspired by the monk Bodhidharma, who meditated for so long he lost the use of his limbs (hence the doll's limbless, tumbler-like shape), Daruma is all about resilience and bouncing back.

Here's how it works:

• A new Daruma comes with blank eyes.
• When you set a goal or make a wish, you color in one eye.
• You place Daruma somewhere visible so he can watch you follow through on your goal.
• Once you've achieved your goal, you fill in the other eye to complete the doll, and the journey.

Daruma come in many colors—red to ward off misfortune, gold for wealth, white for harmony, black for business success—but all share the same core message: keep going. So whether you're chasing a dream or facing a challenge, Daruma is more than a doll, it's a steadfast little coach, cheering you on from the shelf.

The Seven Lucky Gods, or Shichifukujin, are Japan's cheerful dream team of fortune, each one bringing a different kind of luck, from wealth and wisdom to happiness, health, and long life. Often depicted sailing together on a treasure ship, they appear on fans, ornaments, and charms to spread good vibes in every direction. Pick one up, and you're not just getting one blessing, you're getting seven.

This delightful crew of deities comes from a mix of Shinto, Buddhism, Taoism, and folklore, and they've been part of Japanese tradition for centuries. Each god has their own specialty:

• Ebisu – fishing and business
• Daikokuten – wealth and agriculture
• Bishamonten – protection and courage
• Benzaiten – art, music, and knowledge (the only woman!)
• Fukurokuju – wisdom and long life (and an extra-long forehead!)
• Jurojin – health and longevity
• Hotei – joy and abundance

They often appear together on fans, carvings, and ornaments, especially around New Year's, when they arrive aboard their Takarabune (Treasure Ship), bringing fortune to those who welcome them.

Displaying the Shichifukujin is about embracing all the ingredients of a good life. Pick up a statue, fan, or charm with their smiling faces, and let a full spectrum of good vibes sail your way.

Mizuhiki are elegant, symbolic cords made from tightly twisted rice paper, traditionally used in Japan to wrap gifts and mark life's important moments, whether they be joyful or mournful. Each knot carries meaning, such as those that are tied never to be undone, representing lasting bonds and good fortune. So when you see mizuhiki on a charm or envelope, it's more than decoration, it's a blessing in disguise.

Used for centuries in weddings, funerals, and formal exchanges, mizuhiki communicate meaning through their colors and knot styles: red and white for joy, gold and silver for weddings, black and white for mourning. Today, you'll find mizuhiki on ceremonial items as well as on charms and accessories, carrying quiet wishes for good luck and meaningful connection wherever they go.

So when you see a small charm wrapped in mizuhiki, know that it's not just decoration. It's a quiet, beautiful wish for something that lasts.

In Japan, many people love 鯛 (tai), or sea bream. More than a delicious fish, it's also a symbol of celebration, good luck, and joyful beginnings. Why? For one, it's considered a "prestige fish," traditionally served at weddings, New Year's feasts, and important milestones. There's also a bit of wordplay at work: tai sounds like the word medetai, which means auspicious or joyful in Japanese.

The double meaning of its name is why tai shows up in delightful edible forms like taiyaki (a warm, fish-shaped cake with sweet fillings) and tai-shaped monaka (crisp wafers with bean paste), given as gifts to celebrate happy occasions. You'll also find decorative versions in shops, bringing that same festive fortune into homes.

Whether you eat it, gift it, or display it, this little fish is swimming with good luck.

In Japanese culture, the crane (tsuru) and the turtle (kame) are powerful symbols of long life and lasting fortune. A common saying goes, "Cranes live for a thousand years, turtles for ten thousand," reflecting their magical lifespans and protective power.

The crane represents peace, loyalty, and the rising of wishes, while the turtle embodies health, stability, and prosperity over time. Often given together at weddings, New Year's, and other celebrations, they appear today on everything from T-shirts and chopstick rests to postcards and keepsakes, bringing meaning to even the simplest moments.

So when you spot a crane or turtle—especially together—you're looking at a wish for a life that's both joyful and long.

In many cultures, owls are seen as wise. In Japan, they're wise and lucky. The Japanese word for owl, fukurō, happens to sound like a combination of words meaning "no hardship" (不苦労) or "luck comes" (福来郎), depending on how it's written. That clever bit of wordplay has made owls beloved symbols of protection, intelligence, and good fortune, especially when it comes to warding off bad luck or ensuring smooth paths ahead.

You'll find owl-shaped charms in wood carvings, keychains, ceramic figures, and even modern accessories. They are popular both as engimono and thoughtful gifts. They're particularly favored by students, travelers, and those facing new challenges or transitions, since owls are believed to help guide you safely through the unknown. Whether perched quietly on your desk or dangling from your bag, this tiny owl always seems to be watching out for you.

Big-bellied with wide eyes and a straw hat, the ceramic tanuki may look like a curious garden ornament, but it's actually one of Japan's most beloved (and mischievous) symbols of good luck and financial fortune.

Inspired by the real Japanese raccoon dog, the mythical tanuki is a shapeshifting trickster known for being clever, jolly, and a bit naughty. Over time, it became a welcoming figure placed outside restaurants and shops to attract customers, prosperity, and good vibes.

Each element of a tanuki statue has meaning:

• Big belly for bold decisions
• Sake bottle for generosity
• Ledger or promissory note for financial trust
• Wide eyes for awareness
• Big tail for stability
• And yes, famously large…"assets"...which are said to symbolize luck in money matters!

Tanuki figures are popular at inns, eateries, and souvenir shops, reminding us that good fortune can come with a wink and a smile.

Sure, the koma, a Japanese spinning top, looks like a simple toy. But in the world of engimono, it's a symbol of balance, harmony, and smooth fortune. When a koma spins steadily, it reflects the hope that life—whether it be work, health, or relationships—will move just as smoothly.

Traditionally made of wood and brightly painted, koma have long been favorites during New Year celebrations and are cherished by both children and adults. Today, they're found in decorative displays, charms, and souvenirs, offering a wish not just for luck, but for momentum.

So go ahead, give it a spin. You never know what kind of fortune it might set in motion.

The masu looks like a simple wooden box, one that is traditionally used for measuring rice or serving sake. In Japan, this clean-lined little cube holds something far more potent than grain or alcohol. It's a symbol of abundance, growth, and multiplying blessings.

Its name sounds like the verb "増す" (masu), meaning "to increase," making it a popular charm for prosperity, happiness, and success. To gift or display a masu is to wish someone more of the good things in life—more wealth, more joy, more luck.

You'll find masu at weddings (for fruitful unions), shrines (to collect offerings), sake tastings (as vessels of overflowing hospitality), and as an engimono holding other charms, sometimes standing alone as a token of fortune. Whether engraved, painted, or repurposed, each one carries the same quiet blessing: may your fortune grow and your cup overflow.

The gamaguchi wallet, with its frog-like clasp, is a lucky charm in Japan believed to bring money back to its owner. That's thanks to a pun on the word "frog" (kaeru), which can also mean "to return." Cute, practical, and symbolic, it's the perfect way to keep both your coins and your luck close.

Often made with colorful fabrics and sturdy frames, gamaguchi purses come in all shapes—from coin pouches to glasses cases—and represent an open path to opportunity. Whether you carry coins, keepsakes, or just a little luck, a gamaguchi keeps fortune close at hand and easy to catch.

In quiet corners of shrines across Japan, you'll often see rows of small wooden plaques, some decorated with animals, others with heartfelt messages scribbled in many languages. These are ema, and they are Japan's way of sending wishes directly to the divine.

The word ema means "picture horse," a nod to the old custom of donating horses to shrines. Over time, this evolved into offering painted wooden plaques instead, making it easier for anyone to send a symbolic gift—and a heartfelt request—to the gods.

Visitors write a wish on the back, whether it be for health, love, success, or safe travel, then hang the plaque at the shrine, where it joins hundreds of hopes fluttering in the breeze. While most ema stay at the shrine, some take blank ones home as decorative charms, reminders of dreams still in motion.

Ema are as much emotional time capsules as they are spiritual tools. They blend art, belief, and raw human desire in a way that feels both intimate and collective. 

Whether you leave one behind or carry it with you, an ema is more than a piece of wood. It's a small voice that dares to hope.