Though Japan isn’t known for its tales of wise old owls, they are often presented in many popular ways. In Japanese, the word for owl is fukurou and it is actually ambiguous, which gives owls their reputation within this culture. Fukurou, while it does mean owl, also means luck or good fortune.
Since this is the case, owls are often used as a symbol of luck or favor. In Japanese culture, owls are presented in a favorable light, even though there was not originally any mention of the owl’s supposed wisdom.
An interesting turn in Japanese culture has occurred in recent years, and now owls are considered to be more than just simple good luck charms. As Japan has opened up more to western cultures, some of the tales and beliefs have crossed over.
Now, as more time passes, owls are becoming more commonly used to symbolize wisdom and education. This is an interesting shift, but can have some pretty great outcomes. If you combine the symbolic interpretations, wearing an owl shirt might just give you good luck on your exams.