Japanese culture also has superstitions, although different from the ones we know of in the US. I thought you might be interested in knowing about a few of them.
l The number four is pronounced the same as the word for death (shi). One should not make presents that consist of four pieces and dishes come in sets of five not four. In some hotels and hospitals the room number four is skipped.
l Do not stick your chopsicks into your food generally, but especially not into rice, because only at funerals, chopsticks are stuck into the rice which is put onto the altar.
l Do not give food from chopstick to chopstick. This is only done with the bones of the cremated body at funerals.
l Do not sleep towards the North because bodies are laid down like that.
l If a funeral car passes you should hide your thumb in a fist. This is because the Japanese word for thumb literally translates as "parent-finger" and hiding it is considered protection for your parent. If you don't, your parent will die.
l If you cut your nails at night, you will not be with your parents when they die.
l If you lie down immediately after eating, you will become a cow.
l If you whistle in the night, a snake will come to you.
l If you play with fire, you will wet your bed. (Sounds like something your mother made up).
l Breaking the cloth strap of a "geta" wooden sandal is an omen of misfortune (if you are superstitious, don’t buy your shoes at the 100 yen shop).
l You should never write a person’s name in red ink.
l If you see a spider in the morning, it means good luck so you shouldn't kill it, but if you see one at night, it means bad luck so you can kill it.
Rose Tea Cup
Here is tiny teacup #2 of 18 finished.
Here is tiny teacup #2 of 18 finished.
2 comments:
I'm enjoying a daily dose of your blog. Years ago I lived in Hokkaido and your blog brings back many happy memories
Very interesting, thanks for sharing!!
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