New Year Traditions in Japan: a treasure ship under your pillow!

It is said that if you place a photo of a treasure ship under your pillow at New Year, you will induce auspicious dreams, resulting in good fortune. Some say you place the picture on the night of New Year day, others say you are supposed to do it on the second night (January 2nd). I believe the latter, January 2nd, is the correct / original date.

Takarabune

It is not just any old picture of a treasure ship you use! Its the Takarabune, pictured below. A takarabune is the mythical ship of the Seven Lucky Gods. Legend goes that they sail through the heavens on the first three days of the New Year. The Gods carry many treasures. Placing their image under your pillow was said to increase your chances of a lucky dream indicating a prosperous year. Reportedly the practice started in the Muromachi period. 

Traditionally, people used a woodblock with the image. (The image in this post is not a woodblock, but an 'ema' prayer plaque). Initially the custom was mainly practiced by nobility, but by the Edo period cheap woodblock, for single use and this sole purpose, became available. And the tradition became more widespread. The woodblock were made for single use, because people would throw them in the river if they failed to invoke a lucky dream and / or they had a bad dream. 

Had you heard of this 'Only in Japan' tradition before? Have you ever tried it!?