Hard work and diligence on the part of the test takers are augmented by certain foods and charms thought to bring luck ... Japanese market special Kit Kat bars that carry additional exam-related ...

Visitors come to see the array of white cats—commonly shaped as a Japanese bobtail, a breed that makes frequent appearances in local folklore—and pray for luck. The statues can be purchased at ...

"Over the course of our research, what we discovered is that the flag is called a Yosegaki Hinmaru which, roughly translated, is a Good Luck Flag," said Forist. "It's something that Japanese ...

In Japan black cats are seen as good luck symbols who can ward away evil spirits. In certain cultures, giving a black cat to a bride can be seen as a blessing towards a marriage. Black cats have a ...