Happy New Year, everyone! …OK, so it’s not the first day of the year, but cut me some slack here. This blog has been quiet for some 6+ months. You should be patting me on the back for getting some kind of energy up enough to even post something.
Snarkiness aside, I have a question for you. Did you get your omikuji (御神籤、おみくじ) yet? How about your omamori (御守り、おまもり)? It’s a common enough custom in Japan that has little to no substance except that, with the new year, it’s out with the old and in with the new.
’tis the season the flock to a shrine or temple and get lucky!
Omamori can be purchased throughout the year, depending on what you need one for. I only buy and keep one. Last year’s was for good relationships with people. This year’s is a standard safety one. Prices typically range from ￥300 to upwards of ￥2,000, so about $2.50-$18.
Omikuji are meant to be purchased ONCE and, if it’s a good one, it’s to be kept in your wallet or on your person at all times to better preserve the good luck. If it’s a “death will come to your door tomorrow” kind of fortune, you tie it some kind of sacred string the shrine keeps handy and hope for the best. At this point, you’re welcome to draw another lot. If that one is even a little bit lucky, cherish the heck outta it.
Just like last year, my fortune was average.
Most start out with a small Japanese poem. Mine was:
「雪にたえ風をしのぎて / 梅の花 / 世にめでらる、その香りかな」
This more or less translates to “The plum blossom that survives a snowy wind can be admired and smelled another day.” Romantic, ain’t it? Next comes the words of wisdom:
In the beginning, there will be a profoundly sad event, but if you can refrain [from drowning in it?], your mind will open. A confused and disordered heart is a calamity that needs to be calmed.
I’m sure there’s some kind of nuance that I’m missing here, but whatever. The last bit of the fortune talks about specific aspects of one’s life. Mine were as follows:
- 願望 (ねがいごと, negaigoto, hopeful wishes) – Late, but will come true. It’s good to try and speak simply (avoid manners of speech)
- 待人 (まちびと, machibito, awaiting person) – Will arrive late
- 失物 (うせもの, usemono, lost item) – High chance of appearing
- 旅行 (たびだち, tabidachi, travel) – Good to refrain from traveling, no benefit
- 商売 (あきない, akinai, business) – No risk in dealing with others
- 学問 (がくもん, gakumon, school) – Hurry and plan your objective
- 相場 (そうば, souba, stock market) – Good! Sell
- 争事 (あらそい, arasoi, quarrels) – Speak with your eyes
- 恋愛 (れんあい, rennai, love) – Can be enjoyed to a certain degree
- 転居 (やうつり, yautsuri, moving) – Good! But hurry
- 出産 (おさん, osan, pregnancy) – A safe delivery is favorable
- 病気 (びょうき, byouki, sickness) – No worries. Believe in the gods
- 縁談 (えんだん, endan, marriage) – Negotiations will be broken off, but after helping (the person? the people?), all will be well
What are some crazy things your family does to welcome in the new year? Do you have any interesting traditions or superstitions? Let me know! Bye for now.
A Journal for Ashley 
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