Japanese superstitions

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

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" sounds like the word for "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 for words such as "death" and "suffering" are typically considered unlucky. 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

• If one plays with fire, they will wet their beds. (This is said to make children aware of the danger of fire.)
• If one rests just after eating, they will become a cow/pig/elephant. (This discourages laziness.)^[4][5]
• If one whistles or plays a flute at night, snakes will come to them. (This means not to bother one's neighbors.) In this context, "snake" means a "thief".^[4][5]
• A cold midsection will cause diarrhea.
• The first dream of a Japanese New Year will come true.
• Breaking a comb or the cloth strap of a geta wooden sandal is an omen of misfortune.^[4]
• Stepping on the cloth border of a tatami mat brings bad luck.

Linguistic superstition

If a funeral hearse drives past, one must hide their thumbs in a fist. The Japanese word for "thumb" literally translates as "parent-finger.". Hiding it is considered protection for one's parents. If this is not done, one's parents will die.^[5]

Death and the supernatural

• If one goes to a Japanese funeral, he or she should throw salt over themselves before re-entering their homes. This is believed to be cleansing.
• One should never sleep with their heads to the north or that person will have 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.
• Food should never be passed 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 of fingernails or toenails at night is bad luck. If one does so, it is believed that he or she will not be with their parents at their deathbed.^[4][5]
• One should never write a person's name in red ink. (This is due to names on grave markers being red.) Dark brown is not unlucky.

Animals

• 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.^[8]
• If one sees a spider in the morning, it means good luck so he or she should not kill it. However, if one sees a spider at night, it means bad luck so he or she can kill it.
• If one catches a crow's glance, something bad will happen.

Spring

• Ehou-maki are eaten during Setsubun in a lucky direction.

See also

• Japanese mythology
• Shinto
• Japanese Buddhism
• List of haunted locations in Japan

References