Deeply rooted in cultural traditions and historical beliefs, Japanese superstitions continue to shape daily life in subtle yet profound ways. These beliefs often blend Shinto, Buddhist, and folk traditions, influencing behaviors, customs, and even business decisions.
Numbers and Their Influence
Numbers hold special significance in Japan, with some considered lucky and others ominous. The number four (4) is avoided because its pronunciation (shi) sounds like the word for death. Similarly, nine (9) (ku) resembles the word for suffering, making it unwelcome in hospitals and certain businesses. Many buildings skip these floor numbers, and gifts in sets of four are avoided. On the other hand, the number eight (8) is seen as lucky due to its shape, symbolizing prosperity and growth.
Omens and Daily Practices
Japanese culture is filled with everyday actions believed to bring good or bad fortune:
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Chopsticks Etiquette: Sticking chopsticks upright in rice is strictly taboo as it resembles incense offerings at funerals. Passing food from one set of chopsticks to another also mirrors funeral rituals and is considered inauspicious.
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Whistling at Night: This is thought to attract snakes or even evil spirits, discouraging people from doing so after dark.
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Cutting Nails at Night: An old belief warns that trimming nails at night could lead to an early death or missing the opportunity to see one’s parents before they pass away.
Lucky Charms and Protective Rituals
To counter bad luck, people often carry or display talismans such as:
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Omamori: Small charms sold at Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples for various blessings, including health, success, and love.
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Maneki-Neko: The beckoning cat statue is a common sight at shops and businesses, believed to attract prosperity.
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Daruma Dolls: Often used for goal-setting, these dolls are painted with one eye upon making a wish and the other when the wish comes true.
Superstitions in Business and Real Estate
Even modern businesses take these superstitions seriously. Many hospitals and hotels avoid the fourth and ninth floors, while some companies avoid pricing products at amounts that include these numbers. In real estate, jiko bukken (stigmatized properties where deaths have occurred) are often sold at lower prices due to their association with bad luck. Some families perform purification rituals before moving into a new home to ward off negative energy.
Seasonal and Festival-Related Beliefs
During Obon, the Buddhist festival honoring ancestors, it is believed that swimming in rivers or the sea could invite spirits to pull people under. Likewise, Setsubun, a festival marking the start of spring, involves throwing roasted soybeans while shouting, “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” (“Demons out! Fortune in!”) to ward off evil spirits.
Conclusion
Despite Japan’s modern technological advancements, superstitions remain deeply embedded in everyday life. Whether through avoiding unlucky numbers, observing food etiquette, or performing purification rituals, these beliefs continue to shape social behavior and decision-making, reflecting a unique blend of tradition and superstition in contemporary Japan.
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