Japanese Superstitions

1. The number four: The number four is considered inauspicious because it is pronounced the same as the word for death (shi). Therefore, one should not make presents that consist of four pieces, etc. In some hotels and hospitals the room number four is skipped. This superstition is, for obvious reasons, most commonly observed in hospitals. In a maternity ward, the number 43 would be a major faux-pas as it can be pronounced "shi-zan", which also means still-birth. While the number four is associated with death, the number nine is pronounced "ku", the same as the word for pain or suffering. So this number is also considered unlucky.


2. Death of course means funerals, and traditional Buddhist funerals have certain rites and rituals. The night before the funeral itself, the dead body is laid out with the head facing north. So at home many people will not sleep this way, refreed to as "kita makura".


3. One aspect of the funeral ceremony is to stick chopsticks into a bowl of rice placed on the altar. For this reason, people will never do this at the dinner table.


4. Another example is that bone fragments of the cremated body are passed from person to person using chopsticks before being placed in an urn. Again for this reason, when eating people never pass food from one pair of chopsticks to another.


5. If a funeral car passes you should hide your thumb.


6. If you cut your nails at night, you will not be with your parents when they die.


7. Lie down after eating: If you lie down immedeately after eating, you will become a cow.


8. If you whistle in the night, a snake will come to you.


9. There are also some imported superstitions such as the believe that black cats crossing the street in front of you cause bad luck.


10. You'll get bad luck if you talk back to someone talking in their sleep.


11. If your nose itches, someone that you know will have a baby.


12. If you sneeze once, you're being spoken of well.


13. If you sneeze twice, people are saying bad things about you.


14. The third time, someone loves you, and, finally, the fourth time, you have a cold.


15. If your ear itches, you'll hear good news.


16. You will have bad luck if you break a comb, strap of gata, zori, or wooden shoe.


17. You should always throw salt where a beggar has just been.


18. If the first person you meet on any given day is a woman, you will have good luck.


19. If it is a Buddhist priest, be prepared for a bad day.


20. A good omen is getting a bird dropping on your head.


21. If you are overtaken by a funeral procession on the street, you will have bad luck.


22. Avoid badgers whenever possible, because they are evil and mischievous.

In many shrines, temples and souvenir shops, amulets are sold that are supposed to bring luck, safety or good fortune. There are amulets for money, health, love, success on exams, safety on the streets, etc. Small pieces of paper (omikuji) that predict your future are also available. These pieces of paper are tied around the branch of a tree after reading; either to make the good fortune come true or to avoid the predicted bad fortune.

1. In taxis, there are always girl dolls, to keep away the female ghosts.


2. Over the fireplace, there is a potholder charm in the shape of the kanji to keep the fire from spreading.


3. Small charms with kanji on them keep away evil spirits.


4. A material (paper or wood) wrapped in cloth brings you good luck if you keep it near you at all times.