Spanning three generations since its opening in 1907, Ogawa Kite Shop is the last in a long tradition of kite making in Nagasaki. Akihiro Ogawa has continued to make these beautiful kites and has been recognized by Nagasaki Prefecture as a master craftsman. We have handpicked three of the luckiest patterns from Ogawa’s collection of more than 120.

Plover and Waves
The plover glides over the waves, which represent the ups and downs of life, symbolizing the ability to overcome any obstacle together. This auspicious pattern is often used to pray for love in marriage and safety in the home.

Mirrored Horse
In Japanese, horse is pronounced uma. When it’s kana characters are reversed, it becomes mau, the word for dancing. As dancing is often seen as celebratory, it is believed that this mirrored horse brings fortune, popularity, and prosperity with it.

Dragon Eyes
Dragons have long been good omens, worshipped as symbols of authority in ancient China. In Japan, the dragon has been known as the god of weather and agriculture, familiar to many farmers when they must pray for rain.