Japanese superstitions

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Japanese superstitions are rooted in the culture and history of Japan and the Japanese people.[1] Some Japanese superstitions are meant to teach lessons or serve as practical advice.

## Overview

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Some superstitions that are common in Japan have been imported from other cultures. The Japanese share superstitions with other Asian cultures, particularly the Chinese, with whom they share significant historical and cultural ties. The unluckiness of the number four is one such example, as the Japanese word for "four" 四 romaji: shi is a homophone for "death" kanji: 死. The same is true for Chinese, hanzi: 死 pinyin: sǐ, is also homophonous to "death." However, unlike most other countries, in Japan, a black cat crossing one's path is considered to bring good luck.[2]

A significant portion of Japanese superstition is related to language. Numbers and objects that have names that are homophones (Dōongo / Dōon Igigo (同音語 / 同音異義語), lit. "Like-Sound Utterance" / "Like-Sound Different-Meaning Utterance") for words such as "death" and "suffering" are typically considered unlucky (see also, Imikotoba). Other superstitions relate to the literal meanings of words. Another significant part of Japanese superstition has its roots in Japan's ancient pagan, animist culture and regards certain natural things as having kami. Thus, many Japanese superstitions involve beliefs about animals and depictions of animals bringing about good or bad fortune.[3]

## Folk wisdom

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* Resting just after eating results in becoming a cow/pig/elephant. (This discourages laziness.)[4][5][6]
* If whistling or playing a flute at night, snakes will come out. (This means not to bother the neighbors.) In this context, "snake" means a thief.[4][5][6]
* The first dream of a Japanese New Year will come true (hatsuyume).
* Breaking a comb or the cloth strap of a geta wooden sandal is an omen of misfortune.[4]

### Numbers

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#### Lucky numbers

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* 7 is an important number in Buddhism, and is also considered lucky.[7]
* 8 is considered a lucky number due to its shape.[7]

#### Unlucky numbers

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See also: Tetraphobia

There are six unlucky numbers in Japanese. Traditionally, 4 is unlucky because it is sometimes pronounced shi, which is the word for death.[5] Sometimes levels or rooms with 4 do not exist in hospitals or hotels.[8] Particularly in the maternity section of a hospital, the room number 43 is avoided because it can literally mean "stillbirth". (死産 - shizan: 死 - death/to die and 産 - childbirth/produce).[dubious - discuss][3] In cars and racing, number 42 which sounds like shini (死に – "to die") and 49, which sounds like shiku (死苦 - "a painful death") are avoided.[7] When giving gifts such as plates, they are normally in sets of three or five, never four.[3]

Number 9 is sometimes pronounced ku — with the same pronunciation as agony or torture. Combs (kushi) are rarely given as presents as the name is pronounced the same as 9.[9][8]

Due to these unlucky connotations, the numbers 4 and 9 are often pronounced yon and kyuu instead.

The number 13 is occasionally thought of as unlucky, although this superstition is a recent import from Western culture.

## Death and the supernatural

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* After a Japanese funeral, the mourners perform a cleansing ritual by throwing salt over themselves or scattering it on walkways leading to the front door.[10]
* If a hearse drives past, One should hide their thumbs by closing their fingers around them, forming a fist. The Japanese word for thumb literally translates as 'parent-finger', and it is believed that hiding the thumb serves as protection for one's parents.[5]
* Sleeping with one's head pointing to the north results in a short life. (This is the way a body is laid out at funeral.)[3][5]
* Chopsticks should not be stuck upright into food, especially rice. Chopsticks are only stuck upright into rice in the bowl on the altar at a funeral or when paying respects to the deceased. This is called hotokebashi.[11]
* When sharing food, items should never be passed from chopstick-to-chopstick, as this is done only in a ceremony where bone fragments from cremated remains are placed in an urn.[3][5]
* Cutting fingernails or toenails at night is bad luck. If one does so, it is believed that they will not be with their parents at their deathbed.[4][5]
* A person's name should not be written in red ink. (This is due to names on grave markers being red.)[12]

## Animals

[edit]

* Use of the Maneki Neko or "lucky cat". Many businesses such as shops or restaurants have figures of such beckoning cats, which are considered to be lucky and to bring in money and fortune.[13]
* A spider seen in the morning means good luck so the spider should not be killed. If a spider is seen at night means bad luck so it should be killed.[6]
* A crow's caw means something bad will happen. This can be anything from illness or accidents to death or natural disasters.[6]

## See also

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* Japanese mythology
* Shinto
* Japanese Buddhism
* List of haunted locations in Japan
* Dajare

## References

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1. ^ Simon, Gwladys Hughes (July–September 1952). "Some Japanese Beliefs and Home Remedies". The Journal of American Folklore. 65 (257): 281–293. doi:10.2307/537081. JSTOR 537081.
2. ^ "Superstition Bash Black Cats". Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. 2011. Archived from the original on October 15, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
3. ^ a b c d e "Japanese Superstitions Part 1 - Death and the Number 4". Japan Zone. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
4. ^ a b c d "Japanese Superstitions, Part 2 - Omens and Floor Plans". Japan Zone. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
5. ^ a b c d e f g "Japanese Superstition". Japan Guide. Archived from the original on July 29, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
6. ^ a b c d "Snakes, Combs, and Spiders: 10 Eerie Japanese Superstitions for the Curious". LIVE JAPAN. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
7. ^ a b c "Superstition or Cultural Fact? Major Unlucky Numbers to Know About in Japan | Guidable". October 12, 2018.
8. ^ a b "Superstition or Cultural Fact? Major Unlucky Numbers To Know About in Japan | Guidable". Guidable Guidable (in Japanese). October 12, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
9. ^ "Japanese Lessons with Maggie » 迷信(=meishin) + 縁起(=engi) Japanese superstitions". maggiesensei.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2011.
10. ^ "Shinto Periods of Mourning". eCondolence.com. January 1, 2020. Archived from the original on October 21, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
11. ^ "Japanese Chopstick Etiquette | Asian Lifestyle Design". Retrieved January 2, 2020.
12. ^ "Japanese Superstitions: The Basics". Japan Info. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
13. ^ Shuji, Matsushita (September 30, 2007). "A mouse in cat's skin". CNet Asia. Archived from the original on June 3, 2008. Retrieved August 14, 2012.

* v
* t
* e

Superstition

Main topics|

* Amulet
* Evil eye
* Luck
* Omen
* Talismans
* Myth and ritual

Lists|

* List of superstitions
* List of lucky symbols
* List of bad luck signs
* Sailors' superstitions
* Theatrical superstitions

Africa|

* Superstition in Ethiopia
* Buda
* Gris-gris
* Sampy
* Sleeping child

Americas|

* Ascalapha odorata
* Bermuda Triangle
* Brujería
* Carranca
* Cooties
* Curse of Tippecanoe
* Curupira
* Djucu
* Fortune cookie
* Groundhog Day
* I'noGo tied
* Oscar love curse
* Susto
* Veve
* White lighter myth
* Witch window

Asia|

* Superstition in India
* Superstition in Pakistan
* Superstition in the Philippines
* Japanese superstitions
* Superstition in Korea
* Bhoot (ghost)
* Chhaupadi
* Churel
* Ghosts in Bengali culture
* Jackal's horn
* Kuai Kuai culture
* Muhurta
* Navaratna
* Nazar
* Nazar battu
* Pichal Peri
* Puppy pregnancy syndrome
* Akabeko
* Kanai Anzen
* Maneki-neko
* Okiagari-koboshi
* Ofuda
* Omamori
* Fan death
* Feng shui
* Hindu astrology
* Agimat
* Albularyo
* Barang
* Kulam
* Lihi
* Pagtatawas
* Pasma
* Usog
* Kuman Thong
* Palad khik
* Takrut
* Nang Kwak
* Vastu shastra
* White elephant
* Jin Chan
* Numbers in Chinese culture
* Yantra cloth

Europe|

* August curse
* Barbary macaques in Gibraltar
* Bayern-luck
* Blarney Stone
* Cimaruta
* Cornicello
* The Goodman's Croft
* Himmelsbrief
* Icelandic magical staves
* In bocca al lupo
* Kitchen witch
* Klabautermann
* Mooncalf
* Need-fire
* Painted pebbles
* Powder of sympathy
* Rabbit rabbit rabbit
* Ravens of the Tower of London
* Russian traditions and superstitions
* Superstition in Britain
* Superstition in Serbia
* Spilling water for luck
* The Scottish Play
* Troll cross
* Tycho Brahe days
* Witch post
* Wolfssegen

General|

* 1 (Ace of spades)
* 3 (Three on a match)
* 4 (Four-leaf clover, tetraphobia)
* 7 (Seventh son of a seventh son)
* 11:11
* 13 (Friday the 13th, The Thirteen Club, thirteenth floor, triskaidekaphobia)
* 17 (Heptadecaphobia)
* 27 (27 Club)
* 39 (Curse of 39)
* 666 (Number of the Beast)
* Auspicious wedding dates
* Baseball superstition
* Beginner's luck
* Black cat
* Bread and butter
* Break a leg
* Bullroarer
* Chain letter
* Cramp-ring
* Curse
* Davy Jones' Locker
* Dead man's hand
* End-of-the-day betting effect
* Fear of frogs
* Fear of ghosts
* Fertility rite
* First-foot
* Flying Dutchman
* Four eleven forty-four
* Gambler's conceit
* Good luck charm
* Human sacrifice
* Jinx
* Hex
* Knocking on wood
* Law of contagion
* Literomancy
* Lock of hair
* Maternal impression
* Miasma theory
* Nelson
* Numerophobia
* Numismatic charm
* Penny
* Rabbit's foot
* Rainmaking
* Ship sponsor
* Shoes on a table
* Sign of the horns
* Something old
* Spilling salt
* Statue rubbing
* Threshold
* Toi toi toi
* Wishing well
* Witch ball
* Witching hour

Related|

* Apophenia
* Apotropaic magic
* Astrology and science
* Coincidence
* Debunker
* Divination
* Folk religion
* Fortune-telling
* Magic and religion
* Magical thinking
* Numerology
* Obsessive–compulsive disorder
* Perceptions of religious imagery in natural phenomena
* Post hoc ergo propter hoc
* Questionable cause
* Superstition in Judaism
* Superstitions in Muslim societies
* Traditional medicine
* Urban legend

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