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.
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]
If a funeral hearse drives past, one must hide one's 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]
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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 don't 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".[3] (死産 - shizan: 死 - death/to die and 産 - childbirth/produce). In cars and racing, number 42 which sounds like shini (死に – to death) 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 is imported from Western culture.