Departments
Intermediate Japanese - Free Online Course
HŌI
方位
good directions, evil directions
According to Chinese folklore, every direction can be associated with good or bad luck. To walk in a “bad luck” direction is to invite tragedy. In fact, a traveler who goes in the wrong direction will meet with preordained tragedy. The luck of a particular direction can be determined by traditional conventions, or with the help of a fortuneteller.
The belief in good and evil directions has implications for architecture. This is known as the kasō / 家相, or physiognomy, of a house. The northeast is supposedly an evil direction, as it is pointed toward the kimon / 鬼門 (devil’s gate). If a house must face this direction, then a charm (majinai / 呪い ) should be hung in the doorway to keep out bad luck.
HŌJI
法事
Buddhist memorial service
The hōji is a ceremony which marks the anniversary of a person’s death. Tradition designates that this observance is to be held on the first, second, seventh, thirteenth, and seventeenth anniversaries. The hōji may be held in a private home or a temple. A Buddhist priest reads a sutra on the occasion, and the attendants pray for the repose of the dead person’s soul. It is customary after the ceremony to have a meal in remembrance of the deceased.