Kobe Journal - Best Kept Secret in Asia

7 Very Important to know ritual, superstition & taboos

Don't lie down after you eat or you'll turn into a cow. Well, that kind of things makes sense in a way!
Don't stick chopstick into rice. In traditional funeral ceremony, Japanese stick chopsticks into a bowl of rice placed on the altar. For this reason, this should never be done at the dinner table.
Don't pass food with chopsticks. Also at funerals, bone fragments of the cremated body are passed from person to person using chopsticks before being placed in an urn. Hence, for the reason, passing food with chopsticks is never done while eating.
Shrine Visits - omikuji. You pay your fee and pull a stick out of a box which determine the "fortune paper" you get. These are ranks from "daikichi" (great fortune) to "daikyo" (really bad fortune). Even if you get a a bad luck, you can tie it to a tree in the grounds and your good luck will ensured or your bad luck averted.
Shrine Visits - o-mamori. "Manoru" is the common verb for "to protect". O-mamori is the honorific form of the verb. Anyway, pay a few hundred yen and you'll have your very own "o-mamori", an amulet or talisman, which is either a small piece of cloth, paper or wood with prayers written on them. These items are be connected with the particular powers of the "kami" or gods enshrined there There are separate ones for safe childbirth, safe driving, exam success and just about anything you can think of.
Shrine / Temple Visits - yakudoshi. Men and women of certain ages also go to a shrine or temple to make sure they don't suffer the worst of "yakudoshi". The term refers to the ages 25 and 42 for men, 19 and 33 for women. The word "yaku" means calamity and it's thought that failure to ward off the bad luck can lead to disaster. Wearing red is also thought to help.
Shrine Visit - kanreki Go to a shrine to celebrate a man's 60th year called "kanreki", it marks the fifth completion of the traditional 12-year cycle and is referred to as a kind of return to childhood or second infancy. Red is also worn at an event to helpd ward off bad luck.

Useful to know superstition & taboos

Death and the Number 4 As the words for the number four and death are both pronounced "shi". Hence, the number is deemed unlucky. Hospitals commonly don't have a forth floor not rooms ending with 4. In a maternity ward, the number 43 would be a major faux-pas as it can be pronounced "shi-zan", which also means still-birth. It is common in general. So elevators might not have a button for the fourth floor or room numbers might skip from three to five.
Pain and the Number 9 While the number four is associated with death, the number nine is pronounced "ku", the same as the word for pain or suffering. So this number is also considered unlucky.
Good Luck Fish - Tai. The large sea bream is known in Japanese as "tai", which is part of the word "medetai" (good luck). So this fish is often served on auspicious occasions, such as when a sumo wrestler wins a tournament. Ebisu, one of the seven gods of good fortune, is often depicted riding on top of one of these fish.
"Fuu Sui" Japanese Pronunciation for the Chinese art of "Feng Shui". The Chinese character are the same in both languages and mean "wind and water". Home are design by the concepts of "kaso" (house divination). Layout of a home and the positioning of objects within it are believed to influence the flow of energy as well as the inhabitants' health and fortune. For example, an entrance on the north-east corner is called "kimon" or "demon gate" and will bring ill fortune. New home construction is also usually accompanied by Shinto rituals.

Other stuff you basically just shouldn't do:

Don't sleep laying north south. This comes because the night before a Buddhist funeral the dead body is laid out with the head facing north. Hence, at home sleeping "kita makura" in not good. I really don't know if it is or not. I know .
One bad omen connected with funerals is that it is unlucky to be overtaken on the street by a hearse.
You also shouldn't point at a hearse, ambulance or graveyard.
If the first person you meet in the morning is a Buddhist priest, you're in for a bad day. If it's a woman, they say you'll have better luck..
Bad luck to kill a spider in the morning (or evening).
If you cut your nails at night, your parents will die before you see them again. This was shown in one survey to be the superstition most people believed in.
Whistling at night is said to attract snakes and, though you won't find too many reptiles in urban areas, you won't hear many people whistling in Japan either. Incidentally, finding a white snake is a good omen. And as the snake is a symbol of money and wealth, you should put a piece of snake skin into your wallet.
Similar to the western taboo about breaking a mirror, in Japan it's unlucky to break a comb or the strap of your geta sandal.
Weddings are another major business in Japan, and often cost millions of yen to put on. If you're not even remotely superstitious, you should be able to get a serious discount on a wedding hall if you go for a "butsumetsu" day. Named after the day that the Buddha died, it is the unluckiest in the traditional six-day cycle known as "rokuyo". "Taian" are the luckiest days and most popular choice for weddings. Other days in the cycle are more complicated, with things like good luck in the morning but bad luck after that. These days are marked on most non-western style calendars. Dates where the numbers align, such as the 7th day of the seventh month of the seventh year (July 7, 2007) are considered very auspicious. If that particular date had fallen on a taian day, wedding halls would have been booked out years in advance! Actually, it's a sakimake - bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon - so you might still be able to get an early spot...

否; `ie or iie:` ("Ee-eh" or "Ee-ee-eh") no

否; `Iya (`Ee-yah) (same kanji) in casual speaking means "nay" or no". When used alone and strongly is means "I refuse". For emphasis, this word can be further shorted into "Ya" or "Ya da!, with "da" being the casual form of desu. Generally means "that's distasteful! Unpleasant!"

Listening Expressions

sô desu ka (sohh deh-su kah; Oh, is that right. ) Japanese language is full of acknowledgement and interaction. Even if you have no idea what is being said, say Sô desu ka every time someone tell you a new piece of information. Be sure to nod as you say this expression. If you talk are really talking casually, you need to use this phrase 200 times in one hour.

Â, sô desu ka (ahh, sohh deh-su kah; really, is that right. ) When what you hear is really surprise. Cock your hear when you say it, and you're just like the locals. Also, if you get good cock you head, you can just say ÂÂ (ahhhhh)

Nani (nah-nee; What?) Nani is a question word. It's handy when you talk with a Japanese person. Say nani when you don't hear or understand what the other person said. Say nani when you can't believe or don't like what you hear.

Hontô (hohn-tohh; Really?) Say hontô to confirm what you've just heard. Suppose your colleague tells you that she's getting married to your boss. Respond to the news by saying hontô. What if your friend says that he'll give his car to you for free? Say hontô before saying thank you. You can say hontô in a lot of situations in your daily life because so many unbelievable things happen every day.

Wakatta and Wakaranai. I understand - I don't understand.

Tips for machiawase (Tokyo Version)

Perhaps the best-known meeting place for first dates is Hachiko (the statue of the dog that stands outside the Tokyo JR Shibuya station). At all times of the day, you can see people standing at this very recognizable spot, obviously waiting and looking out for ttheir machibito (the person one is waiting for).

This statue is also very popular with youngsters on their first date: the ritual is that the young man will suggest meeting at Hachiko, and then the young woman will ask "atama, soretomo shippo (the head or the tail)?"

Having said so, everyone knows the Hachiko rendezvous is for beginners. As couples mature and relationships evolve, people tend to cross the street to meet at "Sutaba" (Starbucks), on the first floor of the landmark Tsutaya Biru (Tsutaya Building).

In general though when meeting up

men are quite likely to suggest a rendezvous at a bookstore (honya). Tokyo has plenty that are easy to find: the Hourindou in Ikebukuro, the ABC in Roppongi, and the Kinokuniya in Shinjuku are several popular ones. Those who choose the honya meeting place are often intellectual types who will even specify the section of the shop that you should meet in. And they like to arrive early to browse a bit before you get there.

Women prefer to meet at the department store (depato). Since they know the store well, they will specify a meeting spot like the foot of a particular escalator, or a favourite department. And should one arrive early, she will simply while away her time ... well, shopping!

In Aoyama

Aoyama is in front of Mizuho Bank, along the famous 246 strip. It must be said that those who suggest meeting here are somewhat snobbish: careful not to stand too close to anyone else who is waiting, and practiced at striking poses of casual aloofness.

If you're into ogling media celebrities while waiting, the first-floor cafe in the Spiral Building is just as likely to yield results as the Yoku Moku cafe, located on the side street known as "Cinderella Doori (Cinderella Avenue)." Both cafes are famed for high prices, impeccable staff and tasteful decor, not to mention the additional stress of trying to make your extremely expensive coffee last until the machibito shows up. Which explains why more people prefer to simply stand in front of the entrances

No

否; `ie or iie:` ("Ee-eh" or "Ee-ee-eh") no

否; `Iya (`Ee-yah) (same kanji) in casual speaking means "nay" or no". When used alone and strongly is means "I refuse". For emphasis, this word can be further shorted into "Ya" or "Ya da!, with "da" being the casual form of desu. Generally means "that's distasteful! Unpleasant!"

Yes

Listening Expressions

Â, sô desu ka (ahh, sohh deh-su kah; really, is that right. ) When what you hear is really surprise. Cock your hear when you say it, and you're just like the locals. Also, if you get good cock you head, you can just say ÂÂ (ahhhhh)

Nani (nah-nee; What?) Nani is a question word. It's handy when you talk with a Japanese person. Say nani when you don't hear or understand what the other person said. Say nani when you can't believe or don't like what you hear.

nai. Someone asked if there is any milk. You can say - nai - there is none.

mondai nai - "no problem".

Zenzen (zehn-zehn; Not at all.) Zenzen is the phrase of denial. Best used in combo with phrase about zenzen mondai nai - no problem at all; zenzen nai - there is none at all; zenzen wakaranai - I don't understand at all. .

Doushiyou (dohh-shee-yohh; What to do?) Doushiyou ka na (I wonder what I should do) Self talk heard alot from some people. Used for super tough situation like - you've locked your car door with your keys and your coat inside?!

Â, bikkurishita (ahh, beek-koo-ree-shee-tah; What a surprise!) Say Â, bikkurishita when you're very surprised. Is your family known for throwing surprise parties? If so, say Â, bikkurishita after they shout out Surprise on your birthday.

Yappari (yahp-pah-ree; I knew it.) Sometimes you have a vague suspicion that something will happen, and then it actually happens. At times like that, say yappari. Also use for like "absolutely, of course"

Yatta (yaht-tah; I did it!) Say yatta when you accomplish something big, receive a great opportunity, or feel victorious. Passing a difficult test, getting the job you wanted, or winning the lottery — these all qualify as yatta material.

Tips for machiawase (Tokyo Version)

No

否; ie or iie: ("Ee-eh" or "Ee-ee-eh") no

否; Iya (Ee-yah) (same kanji) in casual speaking means "nay" or no". When used alone and strongly is means "I refuse". For emphasis, this word can be further shorted into "Ya" or "Ya da!, with "da" being the casual form of desu. Generally means "that's distasteful! Unpleasant!"

Yes

Listening Expressions

Â, sô desu ka (ahh, sohh deh-su kah; really, is that right. ) When what you hear is really surprise. Cock your hear when you say it, and you're just like the locals. Also, if you get good cock you head, you can just say ÂÂ (ahhhhh)

Nani (nah-nee; What?) Nani is a question word. It's handy when you talk with a Japanese person. Say nani when you don't hear or understand what the other person said. Say nani when you can't believe or don't like what you hear.

nai. Someone asked if there is any milk. You can say - nai - there is none.

mondai nai - "no problem".

Zenzen (zehn-zehn; Not at all.) Zenzen is the phrase of denial. Best used in combo with phrase about zenzen mondai nai - no problem at all; zenzen nai - there is none at all; zenzen wakaranai - I don't understand at all. .

Doushiyou (dohh-shee-yohh; What to do?) Doushiyou ka na (I wonder what I should do) Self talk heard alot from some people. Used for super tough situation like - you've locked your car door with your keys and your coat inside?!

Â, bikkurishita (ahh, beek-koo-ree-shee-tah; What a surprise!) Say Â, bikkurishita when you're very surprised. Is your family known for throwing surprise parties? If so, say Â, bikkurishita after they shout out Surprise on your birthday.

Yappari (yahp-pah-ree; I knew it.) Sometimes you have a vague suspicion that something will happen, and then it actually happens. At times like that, say yappari. Also use for like "absolutely, of course"

Yatta (yaht-tah; I did it!) Say yatta when you accomplish something big, receive a great opportunity, or feel victorious. Passing a difficult test, getting the job you wanted, or winning the lottery — these all qualify as yatta material.

Tips for machiawase (Tokyo Version)

否; `ie or iie:` ("Ee-eh" or "Ee-ee-eh") no

否; `Iya (`Ee-yah) (same kanji) in casual speaking means "nay" or no". When used alone and strongly is means "I refuse". For emphasis, this word can be further shorted into "Ya" or "Ya da!, with "da" being the casual form of desu. Generally means "that's distasteful! Unpleasant!"