The most popular Japanese superstitions are many, very varied and in some cases very curious. But they are also a central part of the culture of a country, which to those who know only Western culture may seem strange. Being used a great number of them, to teach lessons or to offer practical advice of life.
However, they are still fascinating, some of them have even been imported to other cultures. Like the well-known superstition of the black cat, according to which it is believed that crossing with a black cat is a bad omen. Although in Japan it is only bad luck if it does it from behind the person.
If you read the first part of this article, and want to know a little more about the most popular Japanese superstitions, we invite you to continue reading.
Most popular Japanese superstitions related to health
Sneezing
When someone sneezes in Japan it is believed to be an indication that someone is talking about that person. But the funny thing is that there is also another superstition associated with sneezing. According to which, the number of sneezes also has a meaning. For example: one sneeze means that whoever is talking about the person is praising them.
Similarly, two sneezes in a row mean that someone is speaking ill of the person. Whereas, three consecutive sneezes mean that our partner thinks of us. Or that an unknown person is the one who thinks of us and that love will soon come into our life.
Teeth
When a person falls out of a lower tooth, they must throw the tooth towards the roof of their house. But if it is one of the upper teeth, you have to go up to the roof of your house and launch it from there. In case of not doing it in either of the two cases, it is said that we will attract bad luck to our life.
Blood groups
In Japan there is the so-called blood horoscope. A belief according to which the blood group defines who they are, how they behave and with whom they are compatible. In a similar way to how we in the West do, those of us who believe in the Western horoscope. However, in the Japanese population this superstition takes obsessive overtones and in some cases discriminatory.
So it is common in newspapers, magazines and morning shows to see the predictions of the day and it is something that many Japanese follow. There are even those who do not leave homes without knowing, for example, if they are going to be lucky or what colour they should dress that day. Such is the belief that there are also “omikujis” of fortune based on blood group.
Most popular Japanese superstitions related to animals
An animal that is present in many Japanese establishments and houses is the so-called lucky cat. Known in Japan as “Maneki Neko“. Since, it is believed that it attracts not only good luck, but also customers.
Another superstition associated with cats says that if one of them washes its face it will rain. On the other hand, if someone crosses their gaze with that of a crow, it means that something bad will happen to you. Instead, owls have a good reputation and are regarded as a symbol of wisdom and good luck. Since its name in Japanese is fukurō, it contains the word “fuku“, which means “good luck”
While seeing a spider in the morning is considered an omen of good luck, so
you do not have to kill it. But seeing a spider at night means bad luck, so you must kill it.
A superstition that also exists in other parts of the world is to believe that stepping on animal droppings is good luck.
Most popular Japanese superstitions related to life and death
Bedrooms
A superstition and custom at the same time, is to cover the mirrors in your bedrooms at night. This is to prevent any spirit from another world from crossing it and stealing their vital energy, while they sleep causing death.
The Japanese never sleep with their head pointing north, as it is believed that those who do so will not live long. This belief comes from Chinese Feng Shui and Buddhist funeral rituals. In them, the corpses are placed with their heads always facing north.
Salt
After going to a funeral, they often put salt on their shoulders before going home. Something that they do as a way to clean up any bad luck that may have stuck after the funeral. Likewise, wrestlers also often use salt to ward off bad luck. But in contrast, they do it by spreading salt on the sandy ground where they are going to fight.
Drumsticks
These should never be stuck in food and less in rice. Because this means that the death of the other diners is desired. A superstition related to funeral rituals of Buddhism. In which, toothpicks are stuck into a bowl of rice that is placed as an offering on the altar of the dead.
Similarly, food should never be passed from toothpicks to toothpicks. Since in Japanese culture and within funeral rituals, the cremated remains of people are passed with chopsticks to the urn.
Most popular Japanese superstitions related to the New Year
The first dream of the new year in the Japanese calendar or “hatsuyume“, as it is known, is very relevant. Well, there is a belief that this can indicate how lucky that year will be. Also, it is a good omen to dream of aubergines or snakes, especially if the latter are white.
The “kadomatsu” are a type of decoration that is usually placed at the entrance of houses or buildings every December 28th. This in order to welcome the god of the year or “toshigami”, in order for him to establish himself there as his temporary home during these days.
According to Shinto beliefs, the gods visit the underworld during the end of the year and inhabit the kadomatsu until they return to the divine world. Therefore, this decoration is kept until January 7th. Moment in which it is burned as an offering to free the god that is inside. In this way, a prosperous year is expected to be achieved in everything that is undertaken.
ALFA