Traditional Lucky Japanese Items for Decoration in the Home

What is “Feng Shui”?

“Feng Shui” is the idea of “controlling the flow of Qi by the position of objects”, and this idea has been conceptualized in ancient China to determine the auspicious location of cities, dwellings, buildings, tombs, etc.

This idea is now commonly adopted in residences and buildings in Japan, and it is said in Japan that the entrance in particular is not only a gateway for people to enter from the outside but also a gateway for luck.  Your luck may depend on what you put at the entrance of your home. Therefore, it is important to put lucky items that have good Qi at your entrance.

What figurines or interiors can or cannot be put at the entrance?

It is recommended to put figurines at the entrance with the effect of “dispelling misfortune” and “improving luck”.

For example, “Maneki-Neko” is famous for the benefits of prosperous business.  But did you know that the side of the raised hand has different meanings?  Maneki-Neko with the right hand raised means “Improving luck with money” and Maneki-Neko with the left hand raised means “Improving one’s overall luck”.

Other recommended options include fresh flowers and houseplants, which are said to absorb bad Qi and improve the flow.  For those who want to improve their luck with love and marriage, the flow of Qi is important.  In addition, a clean, bright, and nice-smelling entrance are easy to invite good luck.

It is also good to put “amulet” objects at the entrance of Qi.  “Windchimes” and “Daruma” with the amulet effect are recommended.  There are a lot of cute designs these days.  Just choose your favorite one and decorate your home to your liking!

On the other hand, “dried flowers” and “taxidermy” are not recommended to be placed at the entrance.  Both are associated with “death” or “end of life”, which emit Yin Qi and inhale good Qi.  The same goes for preserved flowers and potpourri, which are popular for their beauty and aroma.

In addition, human-shaped figurines and interiors such as plush toys and dolls are also not recommended to place at the entrance because they are supposed to suck out the incoming Qi and Qi of people.

The lucky color of the entrance Feng Shui changes depending on the direction of the entrance

In Feng Shui, in addition to items, “lucky colors for each direction” also play a big role in improving luck.

The direction of the entrance refers to the direction of your face when standing with your back to the entrance door.  The following is for your reference to check the lucky color that matches the direction of your entrance:

	North entrance: cream color, beige, pink Use warm colors for a cold direction.  The northeast entrance is said to have “Water Qi” and similar colors are recommended.  It is easier to invite luck by incorporating floral patterns.
	East entrance: blue, ivory, yellow-green, beige Since the east is the direction in which the sun rises, it has “Tree Qi” that expresses vitality.  Placing something of natural origin at the entrance will further increase luck.  Orange or yellow-green are lucky colors for the southeast entrance.
	South entrance: off-white or beige The south direction is said to have “Fire Qi”, so it is recommended to avoid red and use calm off-white and beige colors.  Light beige or yellow-green are lucky colors for the southwest entrance.  Yellow is also recommended as an accent.
	West entrance: yellow, pink, light blue Collecting yellow colors can improve your money luck and putting them together with muted shades such as light blue or white can improve your overall luck.  Beige or cream colors are lucky colors for the northwest entrance.  If possible, put something with a sense of luxury to further improve your luck.

Recommended figurine “lucky charm” for entrance Feng Shui

“Onigawara (Ghost tile)” expected to have an amulet effect

Onigawara Iemori, Sanshu Onigawara Crafts

Onigawara may seem scary at first glance, but it has a history of 1,400 years and has been protecting the lives of the Japanese to dispel misfortune and amulets.  Fewer and fewer people decorate Onigawara on their roofs, but you can put this type of Onigawara at your entrance to improve luck.

The item has 12 prayer beads on the left and right, which represent one year and have the effect of improving luck throughout the year.  As the saying goes, “Good luck comes to the gate of laughter”, and a splendid laugh will invite good luck from the entrance.

As business prosperity! Maneki-neko with both hands raised

Chic Edo Kimekomi Maneki Neko | Kakinuma Dolls

Maneki-Neko raising both hands is said to invite “luck with money” and “increase customers”, which will ultimately bring great happiness.  It is a particularly recommended Feng Shui item to display in front of the store for business owners.

Maneki-Neko stands as if it is making a request to the stars rather than “throwing up its hands”, making it attractive for business owners.  It even looks adorable so that it attracts the eyes of customers and is expected to become a signboard cat.  It will be appreciated as a gift for an opening celebration or a relocation celebration.

Artistic standing wind chimes made by craftsmen

Japanese traditional & modern Wind Chimes

You can easily enjoy the standing wind chime even if there is no place to hang wind chimes at the entrance.  The umbrella part of the wind chime is made of Kiyomizu-ware pottery with a unique pattern called flower crystal, which gives the entrance a sophisticated atmosphere.

The tone is gentle and light, which makes the entrance a comfortable space.

“Rush grass Yoga Mat” with fragrance and brightness to improve luck and recommended as an entrance mat

Japanese best & natural Yoga Mats

It is sold as a yoga mat, but can also be used as an entrance mat because of its high cushioning and length.  The pleasant scent of natural rush grass makes the entrance a joyful space.  In addition, it has a bright taste and brightens the entrance which tends to be dark and accumulates negative luck.

Rush grass has a deodorizing effect to absorb both unpleasant odors and bad Qi at the entrance.  It is expected to have a great effect on improving the luck of the entrance.  There is a wide variety of colors.  Just choose the one that matches your entrance design and enjoy designing your home with traditional Japanese crafts today.

	ONIGAWARA TO DECORATE THE ROOM: ATSUSHI YAMASHITA, Gargoyle Statue, Sanshu Onigawara Crafts
	MANEKI NEKO, WISH TO THE STAR (CREPE MULTICOLOR), Beckoning Lucky Cat, Edo Art Dolls
	STATIONARY WIND CHIME WHITE, Kyo Ware, Kiyomizu Ware
	RUSH YOGA MAT JOY RED (60 x 180 cm), Tatami, Yoga Mat
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