Good luck charms for the New Year, Kumade

The Japanese tradition says that the good luck charms are to be replaced every year. That's why, at the end of the year, large amulet selling fairs are held around the country.

The first of them, starting at the beginning of November, is Tori-no-Ichi, a street market for kumade, bamboo rakes decorated with a large collection of auspicious items, each of them a good luck charm by itself, put together to "rake in the good luck". As you can see in this photo, on a kumade you will find old Japanese oval gold coins (koban), bags of rice, miniature statues of the Shichi Fukujin (all for good luck in business), cranes and pine twigs (symbols of longevity) and Otafuku, a female mask used in the Kyogen theater, symbolizing happiness and prosperity.