- There are many things that could be considered "unlucky" in your country. Name one. Do you know the origin of this superstition? If yes, please explain. If no, why do you think this thing is considered unlucky?
- What do you keep in your house, car or bag, or do on a regular basis, that you believe brings you good fortune (or wards off misfortune)? If it is an object, tell us about where it is from. If it is an act, tell us about how and when you developed or learned this habit?
- Tell us about a friend, family member or celebrity who has extreme, or funny, superstitious beliefs.
- Would you kill a spider at night? Buy a house or apartment with the number "4" in the address? Pass food between chopsticks? Skip hatsumode because it is cold? Show your thumbs when a hearse passes? Get married on a Butsumetsu day? Step on the threshold to a temple or shrine?
- Do you consider yourself a superstitious person? Why?
- Are Japanese people more superstitious than people from other countries? Why do you think that?
Question 1
Uh... finding a redback in your bed? Actually, I guess not finding it would be worse... Not a superstition so much as just very unlucky.Question 2
I carry a talisman I got from Miwa-jinja with me everywhere I go. It's supposed to grant good health to the one carrying it. I also have a happiness charm on my keyring that my sister gave me. Apparently, it's a recreation of a magic charm from the Book of Solomon. It also looks cool.Question 3
During an appearance on a TV talk show, Heidi Klum admitted that she keeps a bag of her own baby teeth with her at all times. She went on to say "I don't know if it's good luck, it's just a crazy thing that I do." That's pretty weird.Question 4
If I'm aware that performing a certain action is supposed to bring bad luck in one form or another, then I don't do it. I don't trim my nails at night and I usually don't whistle at night either. If I'm going somewhere and a black cat crosses my path, I'll turn around and find another route.Question 5
Yes, I do. I kind of have this theory that if you're thinking really hard about a decision you have to make and you're finding it hard to choose one way or the other, then the universe will send you a sign. Objectively, it's no crazier than praying to this god or that one to ask for help and guidance.Question 6
No, I don't think Japanese people are more or less superstitious than people from other countries. They are just superstitious in different ways to the ones I grew up hearing about. I think Japanese people are maybe more honest about their supersitions, though. I think in the modern day there is a stigma around being superstitious in western countries. Even so, it's socially acceptable to carry around crystals and regularly consult with a psychic. Go figure.Tough Vocabulary
| - English - | - Japanese - |
|---|---|
| a redback | セアカゴケグモ |
| a talisman | お守り |
| in one form or another | 何らかの形で |
| find another route | 別のルートを見つける |
| have a theory | 理論がある |
| find it hard to choose | 選ぶのが難しい |
| one way or the other | いずれかの方法 |
| pray to god | 神に祈る |
| this one or that one | これかあの |
| a stigma | 汚名 |
| socially acceptable | 社会的に受け入れられる |
| go figure | 図を行く |