Seimei handan

Seimei handan (姓名判断) is traditional Japanese name divination, which uses the number of strokes in a person’s kanji name to predict their fortune and character. Parents use it to choose a name for their baby. It's an esoteric art also employed by some companies to name a new business, brand, product, etc.

Japanese family names are most often written using two kanji characters; sometimes just one, sometimes three, very rarely four or more. The same applies to Japanese given names.

Each kanji is written with one or more brush strokes, seldom more than 20, so the total number of strokes for a full name seldom goes above 80. Therefore, classical seimei handan tables list meanings for numbers 1 through 81. (See the Reference Chart below.)

Why 81?

In Chinese numerology, numbers from 1 to 9 are considered to represent fundamental cosmic principles — odd numbers are yang, even are yin.

When these are combined in various ways (as in “heaven–earth–human” triads), the total possible combinations reach 9 × 9 = 81. Thus, 81 is treated as the full cycle of numerological energies. It represents a complete sequence, all possible expressions of fortune and misfortune.

What if a name's kanji strokes totals more than 81?

The mathematical term is "modulo 81"; i.e., we only care about remainders when dividing by 81. For example, if there are 100 strokes (most unlikely!), then 100/81 = 1, remainder 19. So 19 is the number used.

In other words, after 81, the cycle starts at 1 again.

How to count the number of brush strokes in a name

In this example, we're using the name of the renowned baseball player Otani

There are five elements of a name:

• Heaven (天格): Represents the fortune of ancestors. The number is the stroke count of the family name, which, in the case of "Otani", is 3 + 7 = 10.
• Earth (地格): Represents the fortune of the mind, body and environment that one is naturally endowed with. It determines health, family relationships, etc. The number is the stroke count of the given name: 12 + 5 = 17.
• Personality (人格): Represents the fortune of gradually developing personality and abilities. It determines hobbies, suitable careers, etc. The number is the stroke count of the last character of the family name, plus the first character of the given name: 7 + 12 = 19.
• External (外格): Indicates fortune in relationships with the outside world. It determines relationships, evaluations and influences from the outside world. The number is the Heaven count plus the Earth count minus the Personality count: 10 + 17 - 19 = 8.
• External (外格): Indicates fortune in relationships with the outside world. It determines relationships, evaluations and influences from the outside world. The number is the Heaven count plus the Earth count minus the Personality count: 10 + 17 - 19 = 8.
• Total (総格): Represents one's entire life fortune and is the sum of all strokes: 3 + 7 + 12 + 5 = 27.

How to interpret the brush stroke count

From the Reference Chart below:

• Heaven (天格), 10 凶 – Cycle completion → reversals, isolation
• Earth (地格), 17 吉 – Originality, intelligence, individuality
• Personality (人格), 19 凶 – Sudden change, loss, turbulence
• External (外格), 8 大吉 – Stability, prosperity, steady success
• Total (総格), 27 凶 – Overwork, pride, decline after success

How did this work out for Otani?

We gave the five brush stroke counts to an astrologer - without saying whose name was used - and the following prediction was given:

• Heaven (天格), 10 凶
  "Heaven number relates to ancestry, family background, and inherited traits. 10 is considered 凶 (unlucky) because it implies instability or loneliness. The person may come from a family where support is limited, or they may often feel detached or independent by necessity. It can also show a tendency to work hard without much inherited luck or help."
• Earth (地格) 17 吉
  "Earth number represents early life and personal growth (youth, relationships, adaptability). 17 is 吉 (lucky) — a strong, successful number associated with willpower, creativity, and leadership. The person’s youth and foundation are relatively stable and favorable. They may develop good abilities and confidence early on."
• Personality (人格) 19 凶
  "Personality number (also called “Main Fortune”) affects one’s character and how life unfolds in adulthood. 19 is 凶 (unlucky) — associated with overwork, misfortune, or emotional struggles despite talent. This person may be ambitious but face repeated obstacles or losses, often because of strong pride or taking on too much alone. It suggests a 'rise and fall' pattern."
• External (外格) 8 大吉
  "External number governs social life, relationships, and how others see you. 8 is 大吉 (very lucky) — a stable, strong, and respected number. Others likely see this person as reliable and capable. They can earn trust and form good partnerships even if their inner life is turbulent."
• Total (総格) 27 凶
  "Total number shows the person’s overall life path and fortune in later years. 27 is 凶 (unlucky) — a difficult number symbolizing hardship, isolation, or heavy responsibility. This suggests a life that may have achievements but also emotional or health struggles, especially if they carry burdens alone."
• Overall Summary
  "This person likely has talent, persistence and leadership potential (from 17 and 8), but their life path (19, 27) may bring emotional ups and downs or loneliness. To balance this, they should value cooperation, avoid excessive pride or self-sacrifice, and cultivate supportive relationships. Their strong 外格 8 suggests they can attract good allies if they stay open."

Reference Chart

Each stroke total falls into one of the following levels which are associated with personality traits or life tendencies:

• 大吉 (daikichi) – very good fortune
• 吉 (kichi) – good fortune
• 半吉 / 小吉 – moderate
• 凶 (kyō) – unlucky
• 大凶 (daikyō) – very unlucky

Noteworthy caveats

• There are differences in stroke count between old and new kanji. Whilst seimei handan uses contemporary standardised kanji, the "Key meaning" in the Reference Chart is based on some much older kanji. As with other writing systems (such as the Latin alphabet), changes are made to their form, and ancient meanings might not be updated.

• There are various schools of name fortune-telling, and each school has its own methods and points of reference. This page covers the most popular approach.