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The meaning of Butsumetsu in the Rokuyō calendar is 'bad luck all day', making it unwise to do anything important.
Life is full of important events, some of which cannot be rescheduled. However, activities such as moving house, opening a new shop, having a wedding ceremony, undergoing non-urgent medical check-ups, etc., can often be deferred for a day.
Some people believe that if they become ill on a Butsumetsu day, the illness will last a long time. Of course, the same can happen due to a psychosomatic effect.
That said, while many Japanese today acknowledge Rokuyō, strict observance has declined since the Edo period (1603–1868), when the Rokuyō calendar became widely used for choosing auspicious days.
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 an accurate translation from Japanese.
Either 8 or 15 February (on the old lunisolar calendar) is considered to have been the day of Buddha's death but the actual date is uncertain. In Japan, a widely accepted year for Buddha's death is 949 BCE.1 Other Buddhist traditions have dates which differ by centuries, making it impossible to pinpoint the exact day.
However, let's be clear; Butsumetsu is NOT a day for remembering Buddha's death. The critical root of the word 'Butsumetsu' is 'metsu' which means annihilation, the emptiness following the total destruction of everything. It represents a calamity so great that even the Buddha would be unable to counter it and would perish.
It's as bad as the worst thing imaginable.
No wait - it's even worse than that!
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.
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 in the Lotus Sutra 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 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 Pure Land Buddhism (Jōdo-shū & Jōdo Shinshū), Butsumetsu is sometimes interpreted in a more hopeful way. 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
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.
As a final point of interest regarding the concept of the complete collapse of everything: 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 fresh. No need to wait for the next Rokuyō day, 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.
Where a company might avoid accepting certain business contracts on a Butsumetsu day, a rival company could take advantage of the opportunity, demonstrate confidence in their strength and win the contract.