Superstitions of the Clans

Superstitions of the Clans
Each clan has different clan-specific superstitions or small rituals that help them navigate a mysterious and dangerous world.  This place is one section where we can keep those superstitions together.

CRAB
  • At the end of a pregnancy, for samurai or peasant, a shugenja comes to renew blessings on the home.  A guardian given a blessed wand (called a gohei) keeps vigil until after the child is born.
  • When a child is born, it is given a "wish doll". The doll is missing one eye, and is placed somewhere in the child's room. When the child becomes an adult, the other eye is stitched on in thanks for acting as a sentinel against evil spirits and the doll is retained on the home shrine.
  • Crab funerals have a tradition of having someone close to the dead act as their "speaker" to channel their last words and sentiments and listen to the last sentiments of anyone at the funeral on the dead's behalf.  Insulting the dead is an action beyond the pale, no matter what the fallen may have done in life.
  • It is unlucky to leave home without a small piece of jade, even outside of the Shadowlands. Most denizens of Crab territory consider this simple common sense.
  • Hanging a bowl of rice at the edge of a farmer's field keeps goblins away.
  • Stepping on a piece of obsidian with your bare foot is bad luck.
  • Lightening is a good omen. Those who have been hit by lightening and survive are blessed by Osano-Wo, and can see the future. This does not include magical lightning, only the natural wrath of the storm.
  • Ryujin, a great coral dragon, lives in Earthquake Fish Bay. Throwing scraps of coral in the sea at the beginning of an expedition will ensure calm weather during the journey.
  • Leaving the door open overnight will let ghosts into the house.
  • Whistling at night is bad luck, as a ghost may confuse you for another ghost.

CRANE
  • The Crane know their clan is linked to the Great Kumo, the Giant Sea Spider that lurks in Earthquake Fish Bay.  They destroy spiders when they are found in their homes, because they are spies of the Great Kumo.  They are taught as children to never allow themselves to surrender to hatred or allow hatred to form in their hearts, because hatred feeds the great Kumo.
  • Difficulties in childbirth and infant death particularly haunt the Crane.  Though the birth of a Crane is a joyous event, showing too much pride attracts evil spirits who risk mother and child.  The Crane are unwilling to discuss the birth during pregnancy. During childbirth, the child's father stalks around the house crying out in pain, while his wife must remain as silent as possible  so the spirits of dead children, who are attracted to women in labor, will be lured away from the child. After the child is born,  neighbors may slip over in small groups to offer gifts and congratulations, but all the gifts are turned down and the compliments are brushed aside as a show of humility.  The gifts are saved until the child is four, where they are considered old enough to have survived the trials of infancy and are safe to receive the gifts.
  • Tickling a baby's feet will cause it to stutter when it is older.
  • Funerals are quiet, somber occasions, and, unlike weddings, one's lord rarely attends, though a representative will.
  • The cat is an omen of wealth, comfort and good fortune, common among such wealthy families like the Doji.
  • A tailor who pricks themself with their own needle will one day be unfaithful.
  • Erecting a circle of rough stones and praying inside it draws the favor of the Fortunes.
  • Illness can be cured by throwing seven peas in a well and praying for good fortune.
  • Carrying rice in one's pockets attracts the protection of Inari, Fortune of Rice. Giving this rice to one of Inari's children (a fox) is extremely good luck.
  • One should never pour one's own sake.
  • The spear is the favored weapon of Bishamon, Fortune of Strength. All warriors who seek his favor should know how to use one.
  • Write the name of your enemy and throw it into Three Sides River. As long as you have been truly wronged, your enemy will have bad luck. If he has not wronged you, the bad luck will return to you threefold.
  • If you break a sandal strap, you will soon suffer a misfortune.

DRAGON
  • Guests, random strangers, wandering monks, shugenja, and anyone who passes offers spirit catchers to hang on the home of an expecting mother to protect her during childbirth. These blessed strips of coiled paper are hung all over the home.
  • Dragon have no grave markers, instead their ashes are scattered in beautiful locations near a shrine or monastery, with records kept so those areas can be venerated.
  • Young maidens tell the future by sitting at a crossroads and stringing together the remarks of strangers who pass by. This is often done to determine who one's future spouse will be.
  • If a child draws a picture of his nightmares, a baku will come to eat the bad dreams. Though baku are often dangerous spirits, a visit from one is a good thing in this case.
  • A blacksmith should never let the fire die in his forge. If the forge absolutely must be cleaned, the fire must be removed on a torch and kept alive or the forge will never produce good steel again.
  • A child who does not cry when he is born will become a fearless and mighty warrior.
  • When meeting a ghost, speak politely. As long as you remain polite, the ghost will do the same.  Bowing to a vengeful ghost will give it pause.
  • Saying the name of a dead murderer will attract the killer's ghost, unless one quickly prays to Jurojin for protection.
  • NOTE: A common Togashi pastime is inventing new superstitions and passing them on to the peasantry to see which ones catch on.

LION
  • Each child's birth is a glorious event, omens reviewed and ancestries read to guide the child's destiny.  If lucky, a child might even have a soden-senzo on hand to tell their destiny.  Usually the child is not raised  by the parents, who have other duties, but by a high-ranking ashigaru or ji-samurai who acts as their trainer and mentor.
  • Every Lion dojo has an untouched copy of the Tao, on the orders of the first Hantei.  But the Lion are ruled by Bushido and Akodo's Leadership rather than the Little Way.
  • Although Lion are honored in death, they often are laid to rest in communal pyres while their deeds are noted and treasured in the hall of records and given for the families to honor and reverence.  For the greatest of them, the funerals, however, can be truly great events, ending with their statue being placed in the Hall of Ancestors to be remembered by all for all time.
  • Bushi should always lead with the right foot, to awaken the martial spirit.
  • Generals should only hold battles under auspicious stars or following specific omens.
  • Burying a man alive within the foundations of a bridge provides stability. Usually, criminals are used for this purpose. The ghost is believed to be trapped within the bridge and frightens away other spirits.
  • Before a soldier leaves home, he must eat rice from a tegashiwa leaf. Hanging this leaf above the door will guarantee that the soldier returns home safely.
  • A tree that glows blue at night is the home of evil spirits.
  • Taking the head of an enemy is very good luck. If one eye is closed and the teeth are exposed, or the eyes point downward, the head becomes unlucky. (In any case, a samurai who takes the head of an enemy will want to get himself purified later, as it is still unclean).
  • Spiders are lucky creatures, though being bitten by one is unlucky. Never kill a spider, or its spirit will haunt the home and bring bad luck.

PHOENIX
  • Death for the Phoenix is but a transition into a future life. Although attended with all due ceremony, death is a temporary state that will be passed swiftly to the new life that awaits.
  • Shouting and slashing at trees with a sprig of pine frightens away ghosts.
  • Carrying a rice grain carved to resemble a Fortune will guarantee the protection of that Fortune.
  • Badgers are bad luck and full of mischief. Do not speak to such creatures, or you invite their attention.
  • If you meet a stranger alone in the forest, do not speak to them, for they are surely a spirit. Leave ghosts alone, and they will mind their own business.
  • A large stomach is a sign of the favor of Hotei, Fortune of Contentment. A stout, happy man is believed to have found a bit of enlightenment.
  • The first day that snow falls during the winter is the luckiest day of the year.
  • Spirits cannot cross an arched bridge.
  • If you hear footsteps behind you and there is no one there, step aside and invite the ghost to pass, or else you will have nightmares.
  • Never laugh at another's superstition, even if you do not agree with it. Laughing at superstition is in itself bad luck

SCORPION
  • Scorpion births are a lavish and celebrated events, especially in the event of twins.  Even heimin births are celebrated with great revelry.
  • While twins are considered extremely lucky, triplets are considered extremely unlucky. A third child will be adopted out or married out early to avoid the ill fortune.
  • Scorpion celebrations are grand, welcoming, and filled with revelry.  Masks are removed, sake is poured, and emotions are allowed to be displayed without hesitation.
  • The death of a loyal Scorpion is treated as another joyous celebration, for the spirit of the fallen has gone to join Bayushi in the great Cavern of Secrets.   Enemies of the dead, especially if they killed him, are invited to this celebration, however, such an invitation is considered an open challenge, and such an enemy has a good chance of never leaving.
  • As the Scorpion revered the Fortune Daikoku, they see rats as lucky animals. Throw a grain of rice to a rat and you will receive good fortune and great wealth.  Those who killed rats were advised to visit a temple of Daikoku, offer some rice,  and beg for forgiveness, or poverty will follow.  Cats are creatures of ill omen who killed rats and angered Daikoku.  However, since they are often necessary, they are given unflattering names by means of apology to Daikoku.
  • Sprinkling salt on a new garment (especially a mask) will bring the wearer good fortune.
  • Drinking fresh blood from a rooster will cure indigestion.
  • As Bayushi was the third to fall in the Great Tournament, the number three is unlucky. Never leave home in a group of three, for this is especially unlucky. It is better by far to find a fourth, or leave in two separate groups.
  • A girl born with green eyes will never be able to tell a lie.
  • Whisper a secret in a temple of Benten, and she will help to keep it safe.
  • When drinking sake, always bring your own cup.
  • If you have no hatred in your heart, opponents cannot detect the intent to kill.
  • If you dry your laundry where others can see it, your secrets will one day be exposed.
  • Being struck by falling bird dung is good luck (the slang word for dung, un, can also mean "luck" if read another way).

UNICORN
  • Unicorn births are celebrated by close relatives of the newborn riding around town announcing the joyous occasion.
  • A marriage tradition some still practice among the Unicorn is the Capturing, where the higher status partner and their family stage a mock raid upon the lower status partner's family, kidnapping  the prospective spouse and carrying them off to the place the marriage will be held.   Generally this is only in fun, but there have been times in the past when the Moto have staged raids for Ujik-Hai gaijin brides with serious intent.
  • After death, Unicorn samurai are cremated with ceremony, as those of other clans, though the ashes of their leaders are kept in secret places known only to their heirs.
  • The future can be divined by reading the cracks within a piece of burnt deer shoulder bone.
  • Finding the hand print of a child is good luck.
  • The first horse born in the springtime is the luckiest. If it is stillborn, bad fortune will follow for the entire season.
  • Never cut your hair when the moon is full, or it will fall out/ you will go bald early.
  • Splitting an arrow on the target with  a second arrow is an extremely good omen.
  • A house built with wood from the Shinomen will have bad fortune.
  • Finding a frog that has swallowed a koku is the best omen possible, and portends great wealth for the finder.
  • Writing the name of a Fortune on your right arm will grant the strength of that Fortune. Writing the Fortune's name on your left arm will grant you the wisdom of that Fortune. Using this magic too often, or doing both at the same time, is greedy and brings bad luck.
  • A promise made while on horseback can never be broken on pain of death.
  • Always bow to a wild horse, as it might be a ki-rin in disguise.

Additional Superstitions