kabutoki
3rd July 2002, 04:45
Superstition in Japan
i am doing a little bit of research on this topic.
Unlikely most parts of Europe, superstition plays an important role in the daily life of many Japanese. There are still many people believing in all kinds of ghosts or the power of a talisman. Superstition in Japan (jap.: –À?M, meishin) as well as in many other parts of the world has also become part of the tradition and so it is sometimes hard to tell, whether somebody might be considered to be superstitious or just following certain inherited rules of behaviour. In Europe some people say, black cats, crows or walking under a ladder means bad luck. Similar thoughts exist in Japan. It is for example sure for many japanese that cutting your finger and toenails in the evening brings bad luck. others would never fail to hide their thumb in their hand when a hearse passes or they see a funeral by accident.
another thing is everything bad connected to the numbers 4 "shi" and 7 "shichi", as both content one way to read the character for death. superstitious japanese, or those following traditions based on this superstition would never do important things like a marriage or a big buisiness deal on a 4th, needless to say that 4th of april is the worst day...
do you know other superstitions or s. based traditions of japan ? if yes, please try to explain the thoughts behind it.
thank you
karsten
ps. please excuse the capital/not capital letter chaos. i copied the upper part from my paper
i am doing a little bit of research on this topic.
Unlikely most parts of Europe, superstition plays an important role in the daily life of many Japanese. There are still many people believing in all kinds of ghosts or the power of a talisman. Superstition in Japan (jap.: –À?M, meishin) as well as in many other parts of the world has also become part of the tradition and so it is sometimes hard to tell, whether somebody might be considered to be superstitious or just following certain inherited rules of behaviour. In Europe some people say, black cats, crows or walking under a ladder means bad luck. Similar thoughts exist in Japan. It is for example sure for many japanese that cutting your finger and toenails in the evening brings bad luck. others would never fail to hide their thumb in their hand when a hearse passes or they see a funeral by accident.
another thing is everything bad connected to the numbers 4 "shi" and 7 "shichi", as both content one way to read the character for death. superstitious japanese, or those following traditions based on this superstition would never do important things like a marriage or a big buisiness deal on a 4th, needless to say that 4th of april is the worst day...
do you know other superstitions or s. based traditions of japan ? if yes, please try to explain the thoughts behind it.
thank you
karsten
ps. please excuse the capital/not capital letter chaos. i copied the upper part from my paper