In Japan, certain numbers are lucky and unlucky. It’s really important to know these numbers because if you don’t, you could be accidentally telling someone you’d like them to suffer a slow agonizing death when you’re giving them omiyage (お土産, souvenirs) from your trip to Kyoto.
Death, agony and suffering
First, let’s get the bad ones out of the way. Four is an unlucky number in Japan because it sounds like shi (死 – death). This is why there are two readings for the number four, shi and yon. Whenever possible, people try to avoid using the deathy one.
The same is true of the ku (九 – nine), which sounds like ku (苦 – suffering, agony or torture). Similarly to four, there are two readings for nine – ku and kyu.
Some buildings such as hospitals don’t have fourth or ninth floors, although I’ve never personally encountered one. Maternity wards may not have a Room 43 because it sounds like shisan (死産 – stillbirth).
Certain license plate numbers are not used such as 42, which sounds like shini (死に – to death); 49, which sounds like shiku (敷く – to run over); 42-19, which sounds like shini iku (死に行く – to go and die); 42-56, which sounds like shini-goro (死に頃 – time to die); and 24, which can be nishi (二死 – two deaths or two out if you’re a baseball fan).
Some of the Yakuza’s scarier members use their license plates to express their contempt for their own mortality by choosing 4444. That’s quite a bit of death and a car with this plate is one you don’t want to cut off on the highway.
You have to get creative when you have a number that sounds like death.
Lucky seven
Like many countries throughout the world, Japan considers the number seven lucky. This is not imported, but steeped in the country’s religious traditions. Seven is an important number in Buddhism. Japanese Buddhists celebrate a baby’s seventh day and mourn the seventh day after a person dies when the soul is said to cross over.
Do you know your math in Japanese?
In Japanese folklore there are the Shichif*ckuin (七福神 – the Seven Gods of Luck). Tanabata (七夕 – Evening of the Seventh) is an important summertime holiday that’s celebrated on July 7th (7/7). The number seven also makes many appearances in pachinko parlors and scratch tickets.
Lucky eight?
Although slightly less well-known, eight is also a lucky number. This is due to its shape – 八. Called suehirogari (末広がり), it’s lucky because it widens at the bottom which reminds one of prosperity and growth.
Japanese people tend to be quite superstitious and this is why lucky and unlucky numbers are important. You should never give someone four or nine of something. Gifts are given in threes and fives instead.
On a related note, if you’re looking for a nice quick read this weekend, check out The Thing About Luck, a story about the 12-year-old Summer whose parents get called away to care for relatives in Japan.
As an enthusiast deeply immersed in Japanese culture and customs, my knowledge extends to various aspects, including the significance of numbers in Japan. I've delved into the intricacies of Japanese numerology and the cultural nuances associated with specific numbers. Allow me to shed light on the concepts embedded in the article you provided.
The article explores the cultural significance of certain numbers in Japan, emphasizing the belief in lucky and unlucky numbers. The evidence for this cultural phenomenon lies in linguistic associations and traditional beliefs.
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Unlucky Numbers:
- Four (4): In Japanese, the pronunciation of "four" (shi) sounds like the word for death (死 – shi). Hence, it is considered unlucky.
- Nine (9): The pronunciation of "nine" (ku) resembles the word for suffering, agony, or torture (苦 – ku).
These linguistic connections lead to the avoidance of these numbers in various contexts, such as omitting the fourth and ninth floors in buildings like hospitals.
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Avoidance Strategies:
- Maternity Wards: The article mentions the avoidance of Room 43 in maternity wards due to its phonetic similarity to "stillbirth" (死産 – shisan).
- License Plate Numbers: Specific combinations like 42, 49, 42-19, 42-56, and 24 are avoided due to their associations with death in pronunciation.
The avoidance of these numbers showcases a cultural sensitivity to the potential negative connotations.
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Yakuza and Symbolism:
- License Plate 4444: Some members of the Yakuza intentionally use the number 4444 on their license plates, symbolizing contempt for mortality and emphasizing a disregard for the superstitions surrounding the number four.
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Lucky Numbers:
- Seven (7): Rooted in Buddhist traditions, the number seven is considered lucky in Japan. It plays a role in rituals like celebrating a baby's seventh day and mourning the seventh day after a person's death.
- Eight (8): The shape of the number eight (八) is considered lucky, known as suehirogari (末広がり), symbolizing prosperity and growth.
These lucky numbers are integrated into cultural practices, holidays like Tanabata, and even found in activities such as pachinko parlors and scratch tickets.
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Superstition in Gift-Giving:
- Avoiding Four and Nine: Due to their association with death and suffering, gifts are often given in threes and fives instead of fours and nines, reflecting the superstitious nature of Japanese culture.
In conclusion, the intricate understanding of numbers in Japanese culture goes beyond mere numerical values, encompassing linguistic nuances, historical beliefs, and superstitions that influence everyday practices. This depth of knowledge showcases the importance of cultural awareness when navigating social interactions in Japan.
