Five Unique Japanese Superstitions
With a deep history of mythology, spirituality, and ritual traditions, Japanese culture is steeped in superstitions. Many of them are so well-known and ingrained in popular belief and culture that they may not even feel unique or particularly special; they are merely things that are obvious to do (or not do!).
Here are some superstitions to be aware of on your next trip to Japan:
1. Hide your thumbs!
In the US, there’s a superstition that when passing a cemetery or a hearse, one should hold their breath for fear that a wandering spirit might possess them. In Japan, you instead hide your thumbs! It is believed that the spirits of the recently deceased haven’t yet passed on to the other world, and so they hover around their bodies in the funeral car. Hiding your thumb prevents apparitions, both vengeful and benevolent alike, from slipping into your body through the cracks of your fingernails.
2. Watch what you say (and give) at weddings!
In Japan, the words kaeru and modoru, meaning to ‘go home’ and ‘return,’ are thought to bring bad luck to the newlyweds, as saying them might cause the bride tol return home to her family. Additionally, when giving money as a wedding gift, it is a custom to avoid amounts starting with an even number, such as 2 or 4, because these can be easily divided between the husband and wife, perhaps encouraging them to split the cash and their new marriage.
3. Lucky (and Unlucky Numbers)
In many cultures, certain numbers tend to be associated with luck. In Japan, those numbers are 7 and 8. 7 is considered lucky mostly because of its significance in Buddhism, while 8 is thought to be lucky because the kanji for 8 resembles an open fan, a symbol of wealth and prosperity. Not all numbers are lucky though; some have to be the bad guy. In Japan, that’s the number 4, which shares a pronunciation with the word for death, ‘shi’.
4. Crow’s Cawing
Beware the next time you hear a crow calling out, it might just spell bad fortune to come. In Japan, the Shinto deity Yatagarasu is depicted as a three-legged crow and divine messenger, which explains the belief that a crow's presence represents the gods meddling in human affairs. Suffice it to say, that's something you do not want happening in your life.
5. Don’t hang up your clothes to dry at night
This superstition dates back to when traditional formal clothes were passed down generations as kimonos were so expensive and thought to be family heirlooms. Back then, people would hang their deceased family’s clothes to dry at night, as it was believed one’s spirit remained attached to one’s clothing. This gave rise to the superstition that leaving your clothes out to dry at night is just begging for a wandering spirit to swoop in and inhabit them.
About the author:
Kevin Kilcoyne
The spark that lit Kevin Kilcoyne’s interest in Japanese culture began in elementary school through a friendship with his then classmate Keisuke. Since then, that passion has evolved and bloomed to encompass more than just video games and manga, leading Kevin to live in Japan as a participant of the JET program. During his time in Japan, Kevin sought out as many foods as he could, the experiences and taste memories lingering long after they had gone. Now he is forging a path to link his passions for Japanese food, history, and visual culture and is planning for his return to live in Japan once again. For now, you can find Kevin on Instagram (@waruishouten) where he posts his photography and illustration work. Keep an eye out for more posts and updates as Kevin delves more deeply into his passions for writing and food.
