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This article was generated by AI using the original script from the podcast “Superstitions in Japan by Kaori” recorded on July 13, Saturday at 16:00.

Superstitions in Japan: Beliefs that Bring Bad Luck Part I

Hello! Today, I’m diving into a topic that has always fascinated me: the rich variety of superstitions in Japan! This subject is so vast that we’ve decided to turn it into a series. Some of these beliefs might even seem familiar or resonate with ones you already know.

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Table of Contents

Trimming Nails at Night: A Dire Omen

One widely held superstition in Japan warns against trimming your nails at night, suggesting that such an act could prevent you from being with your parents in their final moments. This belief mirrors an old one in our culture where nighttime nail cutting could invite demonic presences. Historically, this superstition likely arose from practical concerns—before the advent of electricity, cutting nails in the dark could lead to injuries. In Japanese, combining the words for “night” and “nail” forms a term reminiscent of a phrase meaning to shorten one’s life, hence the bad luck association.

Sleeping with Socks: A Sign of the Dead

Sleeping with socks on is believed to bring bad luck in Japan, a surprising superstition I discovered during my research. In Japanese funeral traditions, the deceased are often dressed in white socks, suggesting that wearing socks to bed subconsciously aligns one with the dead, thereby inviting bad luck.

Seeing a Funeral Car: Guarding Against Spirits

When a funeral car passes by, Japanese superstition advises hiding your thumbs inside your palms. This practice stems from the belief that spirits can enter your body through the gaps between your thumbs and fingers, particularly after someone has died. Concealing your thumbs is thought to protect against these spirits entering your body.

The Northward Pillow: Sleeping Towards Misfortune

Placing your pillow northward while sleeping is another superstition associated with bad luck, tied directly to funeral practices where the deceased’s head is placed facing north. Since this position is associated with the dead, it’s considered an omen of bad luck.

Whistling at Night: Summoning Unwanted Visitors

A unique and somewhat eerie belief is that whistling at night can attract snakes or even thieves. This belief stems from historical practices where thieves would whistle to communicate. This superstition also includes a protective aspect, suggesting that nighttime noises, such as whistling, could invite not just physical but also spiritual dangers.

Planting Loquat Trees: An Omen of Illness

Planting loquat trees in your garden is believed to be an ill omen, suggesting that someone in the household will soon fall ill. This belief stems from the use of loquat leaves in traditional medicine for treating various ailments. Their association with sickness has led to the belief that planting these trees at home invites illness.

Higanbana Flowers: Inviting Disaster

Bringing Higanbana, or red spider lily flowers, into the house is thought to cause fires. Known as the “flower of the afterlife,” it is commonly found in cemeteries and is believed to guide the souls of the dead. Its striking appearance and toxic nature have contributed to this belief, as parents historically warned children that bringing these flowers inside could lead to disastrous fires.

Thunder and Belly Buttons: Protecting the Navel

In Japan, it is believed that when it thunders, you should cover your belly button to protect it from the god Raijin, who is said to eat the belly buttons of children. This superstition is likely a playful yet practical way to encourage children to keep warm during storms, thereby preventing illness.

These superstitions offer a glimpse into the fears and cultural narratives that shape societies. They remind us that while some beliefs may seem strange, they often stem from practical or historical roots that made sense in their original contexts.

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