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| Rokuyō day | Significance | |||
| se | Senshō | Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon | Tell me more | |
| to | Tomobiki | Good luck all day, except at noon | Tell me more | |
| sm | Sakimake | Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon | Tell me more | |
| bu | Butsumetsu | Unlucky all day | Tell me more | |
| ta | Taian | Lucky all day | Tell me more | |
| sk | Shakku | Bad luck all day, except at noon | Tell me more | |
See also 'Thought of the Day'.
2025 is Japan's astrological Year of the Snake (Hebi)
See the calendar showing the lunar days.
It's fitting that Senshō, the first day of the Rokuyō cycle, aligns with the classic "first come, first served" philosophy. In other words, if you snooze, you lose.
In the Rokuyō system, Senshō's kanji suggest that success favours those who act quickly.
However, "first" doesn't necessarily mean waking up at the crack of dawn. Generally, Senshō means that luck is on your side in the first half of the day, but misfortune lurks in the afternoon, like an unwanted email from your boss at 4:59 p.m. (See how Rokuyō defines the "second half" of the day.)
An alternative interpretation suggests that the entire day is favourable for starting new ventures, but even this depends on context.
Overall, Senshō teaches that taking action swiftly leads to success, while hesitation results in missed opportunities. This aligns with the traditional Japanese emphasis on preparedness, timing and initiative.
Despite growing scepticism, Japanese calendars still mark Rokuyō dates, and some people check them out of curiosity (or as a convenient excuse for rescheduling meetings). Originally, Senshō focused on the concept of “early", but over time, its meaning has evolved into the widely accepted “Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon".
If you're interested in luck the other way around - where the morning is unlucky, but the afternoon gets better - then see Sakimake.
Also known as
Senshin, Sen'nin, Senkachi, Sakigachi and Sakikachi
The Rokuyō meaning of those two kanji together is good luck all day, except at noon, with the idea that you may pull or involve a friend (or friends) into whatever you're doing.
Tomobiki used to have a slightly different meaning - whatever you were doing on that day would not end successfully. A bit like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the manual. Therefore, it wasn’t considered a good day for winning at sports or games, since they’re best enjoyed with friends. After all, in the spirit of sportsmanship, a player wants their opponent to enjoy the game, even if that means letting them win. You could say Tomobiki is the patron saint of bad poker faces and suspiciously-generous chess players.
In the past, Tomobiki was called 'Tobiki' and originally used in competitions to mean a tied score, a stalemate or a mutually agreed draw - otherwise known as the ultimate way to keep everyone on speaking terms.
Nowadays, Tomobiki is a great day for weddings, as it’s believed to pull friends into the spirit of love.
But for funerals? Not so good. The idea is that the deceased might pull their friends to the 'other side' - and not in a friendly 'come sit with us' way. Traditionally, crematoria closed on Tomobiki due to a lack of funeral services, though this practice has become more relaxed over time.
If a funeral really must take place on a Tomobiki day, folklore suggests placing a doll in the coffin so that the doll, rather than a friend, gets dragged into the afterlife.
Of course, that's 100% codswallop. If a supernatural entity were powerful enough to pull someone into death, it should also be able to differentiate between a doll and a human corpse. That said, superstitions are rarely logical.
I've attended a Japanese funeral on a Tomobiki day and can confirm that the family didn't consider Rokuyō at all. No doll was placed in the coffin, and no supernatural shenanigans occurred. The funeral proceeded with decorum, and as with most deaths, the emotional weight of the moment left no room to consider superstitions.
There are a few other alleged consequences of Tomobiki:
During the Edo period, some samurai allegedly refused to go into battle on Tomobiki, fearing they might "pull" their comrades into death. On the flip side, some generals saw Tomobiki as the perfect day for a sneak attack, banking on their enemies hesitating due to superstition. If Sun Tzu were alive, he’d probably call this "psychological warfare by astrology".
I've seen no historical evidence to confirm these claims, but given how seriously many people took Rokuyō in the past, it’s not impossible that some warriors actually did consider it.
Most gambling is illegal in Japan, but back in the day, some gamblers believed Tomobiki was a golden opportunity to bet big - hoping that luck (and winnings) would be "pulled along" for their friends. Others avoided it, fearing their bad luck might spread, or worse, that they’d drag their friends into financial ruin. It’s the ancient equivalent of texting "Should I put my life savings on red?" and hoping your mate answers in time.
As mentioned above, I've no data comparing Rokuyō days and gambling success, but it's prudent to avoid gambling altogether, whatever the Rokuyō day is.
Some Japanese ghost stories claim that spirits or curses are more likely to "cling" to the living on Tomobiki. Because of this belief, exorcisms and spirit-banishing rituals were more common on Tomobiki days, especially in rural areas.
Some folks even avoided hospitals on Tomobiki, worried that sickness might "pull" them or their friends into extended illness. Of course, ignoring medical care due to superstition is about as smart as assuming horoscopes can diagnose your ailments. If you need a doctor, go, regardless of the Rokuyō day. (Unless the spirit of hypochondria is truly strong with you.)
Some couples avoid breaking up on Tomobiki, fearing their ex’s emotions might "cling" on, making it harder to move on. In contrast, matchmakers sometimes saw Tomobiki as a prime day to introduce people, hoping that the connection would stick.
But "breaking up" can be a gradual or sudden, so scheduling one around Rokuyō is not practical. For matchmaking, the most convenient day for both parties is probably more important than any superstition.
Traditional Kabuki and Noh theatre troupes sometimes avoided performing on Tomobiki if their play had tragic themes, lest misfortune in the story "pulls" itself onto the audience. Conversely, comedy performances thrived on Tomobiki, as laughter can be contagious. In other words, it’s a scientifically unproven reason, yet a spiritually endorsed reason, to go and watch stand-up comedy.
As with the samurai superstition mentioned above, there might be some truth about deciding whether or not to stage those performances - or it may be just one of many other weird and wonderful superstitions that actors follow. (See theatrical superstitions,)
I'm told that some social media users in Japan joke that posts made on Tomobiki "pull" engagement along, making it a good day for viral content. Some businesses even schedule PR campaigns on Tomobiki, hoping the news will gain traction and be "pulled along" to a wider audience.
So that's Tomobiki, which literally means "pull your friend".
Whether it’s luck, love, laughter, or just a really good meal - make sure you pull your friend into something nice today.
The Rokuyō meaning of those two kanji together is bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon. (See what Rokuyō considers to be 'the afternoon'.) It's the universe’s excuse for staying in bed; the procrastinator's Lucky Day!
Why does "defeat" (負) lead to good luck in the afternoon? Because rushing in the morning supposedly leads to failure, while waiting things out brings success. It’s less about “fortune-telling” and more a philosophical nudge toward patience - like the universe reminding you not to send that risky email before your coffee kicks in.
It’s a cosmic endorsement of sleeping in, though there's no guarantee that your boss would accept this excuse for being late for work.
Since rushing in the morning is "unlucky", Sakimake is a great day to drive carefully, avoid road rage, and let other cars go first. Who knows, maybe waiting at that red light brings good fortune later.
And if you miss your train or bus in the morning commute on a Sakimake day, don’t get frustrated. That misfortune in the morning means your afternoon will go smoothly. Missing that train may actually be a blessing in disguise.
Traditionally, Sakimake was considered a good day for modest, low-stress activities, making it the perfect excuse for relaxation or light work.
If you set off too quickly, then you'll lose; just as Aesop says in the Hare and Tortoise. We should be modest and calm in everything we do.
And we all know that supermarkets can knock the prices down of perishable products in the afternoon, giving late shoppers a better deal.
It's said that during Japan's Sengoku period (c. 1467-1600), some samurai avoided battle on Sakimake mornings but considered afternoon engagements more favourable. That makes sense; charging into battle half-awake is doomed to failure. Sakimake aligns with the idea of avoiding rash decisions.
Back in the Edo period (1603-1868), some merchants avoided opening their shops in the morning on Sakimake days, thinking it would bring bad luck. Instead, they opened later in the day - which might explain why some small businesses today still open late.
You'll notice that the first kanji (先) is the same for this Sakimake day (先負) and the Senshō day (先勝). For the Sakimake day, 先 is read as "Saki", but for the Senshō day 先 is read as "Sen". Just as the English words are riddled with homonyms, homographs, homophones and heteronyms, Japanese is blessed with a delightful mix of 'on' readings (imported Chinese pronunciations) and 'kun' readings (native Japanese pronunciations), and most kanji have both on-readings and kun-readings.
In this example, 'Sen' is the on-reading and 'Saki' is the kun-reading. Adding to the fun is that 先 also means previous or prior, which is a wider meaning of 'early'.
Senshō → "Sen" (on-reading) = Early = Victory comes to those who act quickly.
Sakimake → "Saki" (kun-reading) = Early = Defeat comes to those who act too soon.
Senshō is the early bird that gets the worm, and Sakimake is the second mouse that gets the cheese.
Also known as
Senmake, Senbu, Senpu, depending on regional pronunciation.
Whatever you call it, one thing is certain: take it easy in the morning, and let the good luck roll in later. And if someone complains about your slow start to the day, just tell them you’re following centuries-old wisdom.
The meaning of Butsumetsu in the Rokuyō calendar is 'bad luck all day', making it unwise to do anything important. It's the day when the universe has a weird sense of humour - at your expense.
Life is full of important events, some of which cannot be rescheduled. However, activities such as moving house, starting a new venture, having a wedding ceremony, etc. Better to just sit tight and wait for tomorrow.
Some people believe that falling ill on a Butsumetsu day means the illness will drag on for ever. Of course, psychosomatics demonstrate that the same thing happens if you believe it hard enough - our brains are wonderful like that.
As shown above, Butsumetsu is portmanteau of 仏 (butsu) and 滅 (metsu). The butsu comes from the name 'Buddha'.
Why?
Well, many English websites erroneously state - or at least imply - that Butsumetsu is the day Buddha died, but that's not true.
In Japan, Buddha’s death is traditionally observed on 8 or 15 February (old lunisolar calendar), but the exact year varies depending on the Buddhist tradition - some say 949 BCE,1 others 483 BCE, and some just shrug and say “a long time ago.”
So no, Butsumetsu is NOT about remembering Buddha’s death. The critical root of the word 'Butsumetsu' is 'metsu' which means annihilation, the emptiness following the total and absolute destruction of everything. It represents a calamity so great that even the Buddha would be unable to counter it and would perish.
Originally, the Rokuyō day was called 'Kumo' or 'Kyōmo', meaning 'the existence of something that doesn't exist'. This was later interpreted as 'the emptiness of everything' and called 'the death of everything'. Eventually, the kanji for 'everything' was replaced with the kanji for 'Buddha' to emphasise the enormity of the destruction - even the Buddha himself could not overcome it. So if even Buddha couldn’t survive this day, the rest of us have no chance at all.
Today, some Buddhist sects interpret Butsumetsu not as total annihilation but as a moment of transition - aligning with the concept of samsara (cycle of rebirth). Destruction leads to renewal.
For example, Nichiren Buddhists don't view Butsumetsu as purely negative. Instead, they see it as a moment when faith becomes most critical. Nichiren himself taught that after the historical Buddha’s passing, the world entered the age of Mappō (Latter Day of the Law), a time of spiritual decline. However, he believed that through mantric chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, people could attain enlightenment even in an age of chaos. For Nichiren Buddhists, Butsumetsu can symbolise the end of one phase and the opportunity for new spiritual growth. In other words, not a disaster - more like a wake-up call.
In Pure Land Buddhism (Jōdo-shū & Jōdo Shinshū), Butsumetsu is sometimes interpreted in a more hopeful way than annihilation. The idea is that after the Buddha's passing, sentient beings can still achieve salvation by relying on Amida Buddha’s compassion rather than their own efforts. The concept of muen-gedatsu (liberation from worldly attachments), also aligns with the idea that Butsumetsu is not just destruction, but a step toward rebirth in Amida’s Pure Land. In other words, once things hit rock bottom, the only way is up.
Some interpretations in Tendai Buddhism, influenced by Chinese Tiantai teachings, align Butsumetsu with the santai (Three Truths Doctrine), which includes kū (emptiness) as a necessary stage in realisation. Metsu (destruction) is not absolute but part of a cycle leading to transformation. Basically, think of Butsumetsu as the Buddhist equivalent of a system reboot.
As a final point of interest; life as we know it continues, and new things begin. Therefore, an alternative interpretation of Butsumetsu is that it's a great day for starting afresh. No need to wait for the next Rokuyō day, the lucktastic Taian.
Butsumetsu can lead to financial benefits too. Since Butsmetsu is considered inappropriate for having a wedding ceremony, wedding halls might offer a discount for weddings on those days. If you’re not superstitious, it’s a great way to save some yen.
Some businesses refuse to sign contracts on Butsumetsu, allowing their bolder competitors to swoop in and steal the deal.
Should you fear butsumetsu?
That depends:
At the end of the day, Butsumetsu is what you make of it.
If you were to ask the Rokuyō calendar "When's the best day to do literally anything?" the answer would be Taian.
Taian is a day of great peace, considered the finest day for wedding ceremonies, starting new business ventures, having success in love, exams, etc.
It's also a good day for surgery, starting building projects, moving house, travelling, and other important endeavours. Even the Japanese Prime Minister picks Taian for appointing new Cabinet ministers. Quite an endorsement!
As a pictograph, Taian's first kanji 大 represents a person standing tall with arms and legs outstretched, appearing as large as possible.
The second kanji 安 is in two parts; the upper representing a roof, and by extension, a building or home. The lower part represents a kneeling woman. She's at rest in her home. An earlier pictograph for "woman" referred to a woman sitting on a thin item; a cloth during menstruation, resting quietly.
Put together, Taian literally embodies "big" + "peace", as with a huge sigh of relief.
Fun fact: the second kanji 安 can also mean "inexpensive". But don’t mistake that for cheap, shoddy or low quality; rather it implies something valuable at a low cost, the kind of deal you’d brag about to your friends.
As mentioned, the first kanji also symbolises a person, attaching Taian to good fortune in a personal sense rather than just in events. If you’ve been putting off something important, Taian is the cosmic green light you’ve been waiting for.
While Rokuyō is often associated with Buddhist traditions, some Shinto shrines also consider Taian a particularly auspicious day for rituals and blessings.
There's an obscure link between taian and old court culture. In the Heian period (794–1185), aristocrats relied heavily on onmyōdō (Japanese esoteric cosmology) and the yin-yang calendar, which influenced Rokuyō’s development. While Taian wasn't explicitly mentioned in early records, lucky and unlucky days were carefully observed for court ceremonies, marriages and imperial decrees. The modern association of Taian with weddings echoes this ancient belief system.
More obscure is Taian's connection to lucky and unlucky colours. In some esoteric Japanese traditions, Taian is associated with specific lucky colours that vary by season. For example, wearing gold or yellow on a Taian day in autumn is thought to amplify its auspiciousness, while white or silver is favoured in winter. This concept is rarely discussed today but has roots in ancient colour-based superstitions.
Shugendō, a mystical blend of Shinto, esoteric Buddhism and mountain asceticism, sometimes associated ritual garments and talismans with lucky colours. Some mountain monks (yamabushi) believed wearing white or gold on Taian days strengthened spiritual power and protected against misfortune. This belief paralleled certain Tendai and Shingon Buddhist esoteric teachings on cosmic harmony and auspicious timing.
Not everyone followed Taian’s lucky logic - some military leaders used it to their advantage. Take Oda Nobunaga in the 1581 Iga Invasion. His enemies, the Iga warriors, followed superstitions about auspicious days such as Taian, avoiding battle on “unlucky” days. So what did Nobunaga do? He attacked on Butsumetsu (the unluckiest day), catching them completely off guard. Result? Victory through anti-superstition warfare.
Some Kyoto geisha houses (okiya) quietly observe Taian when selecting new maiko (apprentice geisha). The belief is that starting a maiko’s career on an auspicious day ensures grace, beauty and long-term success in the profession. This is an extremely niche and rarely documented practice.
In certain rural Japanese folklore, travelling at night on Taian is considered dangerous, not because of bad luck, but because it's believed that ghosts (yūrei) are also active on auspicious days. The reasoning is that spirits are drawn to human celebrations and major life events, making them more likely to wander on Taian nights.
Final thought: Taian is the feel-good day of the Rokuyō calendar - a universal "Go for it!" from the cosmos. Whether or not you believe in lucky days, Taian has stood the test of time as Japan’s undisputed champion of good fortune. So if you’re making a big move, why not give yourself an extra boost of luck?
At worst, it’s just another day. At best, it could be your best day yet.
Also known as
Daian
This is a day of bad luck, mishaps and misunderstandings. The only safe window? Noon.
The Rokuyō meaning of these two kanji together signifies bad luck all day except at noon. It is generally considered an inauspicious day for most important activities, except perhaps memorial services or events specifically suited to midday.
If you were planning to registering your wedding at the city hall today, it would be better to do at noon, though some offices might be closed for lunch.
The origins of Shakku go deep into Chinese mythology. It’s said to come from Akakuchigami, a fierce deity who ruled over eight demon gods at the East Gate of Tai Sui (the star of misfortune).1
Hence Shakku days cause trouble to people and creatures. The Rokuyō day's name comes from shakuzetsunichi (赤舌日: red tongue day).
The colour red has a long wavelength and the second most visible colour in the colour spectrum. It therefore catches people's attention and a good choice to warn us of danger. God knew this when deciding on what colour blood should be. Yellow similarly has a long wavelength; a good choice for the colour of potential danger from fire.
So the 'red' in Shakku can symbolise blood, and 'mouth' can symbolise speaking, eating or verbal arguments.
Together, these kanji caution tailors, carpenters, chefs, butchers, farmers, etc., who use knives and other sharp-edged implements.
Fire-eaters also should take care!
With Shakkū's link to fire - literal (accidents, burns) and metaphorical (anger, outbursts) - there's an increased risk of squabbles and verbal disputes, making it a bad day for negotiations, business deals and even casual conversations. So, if you feel a sharp comment coming on, maybe bite your tongue (before someone else does).
As mentioned above, the only exception to Shakkū’s day of bad luck, is the good luck at noon. This could be because the sun is at its highest, overpowering evil spirits and misfortune. Performing purification rituals or offering prayers at noon may counteract Shakkū’s negative effects. An example is the fire-walking ritual (hiwatari) and purification rites that are deliberately performed at noon on Shakkū to counteract its negative influence.
(Unlikely that's the origin of the idiom "putting your foot in the mouth", but it might be.)
So, if you see someone having a rough day on Shakku, now you’ll know why. And if you really need to do something important today, just wait until noon.
Also known as
Akakuchi, Sekiguchi, Shakkan'yō, Shakkō and Jakkō
