In Japan, a great number of places, objects and customs are considered to be auspicious. Examples include beckoning cats called "maneki neko," and a special meal eaten on New Year's Day. Our guest is Shintani Takanori, who has been studying folk customs for many years. He explains the rituals and beliefs associated with visiting a shrine. He describes the complex meaning behind well-known customs. And he talks about a Japanese tendency to keep seeking out new sources of good fortune.

Traditionally, wooden chests and cabinets are built and maintained by master artisans, using time-honored techniques and materials. Items are often passed down through multiple generations of a family, as heirlooms. Our main guest, antique shop owner Yamamoto Akihiro, introduces several unusual examples, and talks about how traditional furniture fits into the lives of young, modern Japanese.