Pulling Daikyo: The Truth About Japan’s ‘Great Curse’
Imagine the scene: You are standing amidst the incense smoke and bustling crowds of Tokyo’s historic Senso-ji Temple. You toss a coin, shake the hexagonal metal cylinder, and a small bamboo stick slides out. You exchange it for a paper slip, eager to read your fortune. But instead of Daikichi (Great Blessing), the characters staring back at you are 大凶 (Daikyo)—the dreaded “Great Curse.”
For many travelers, pulling the worst possible fortune can feel like a terrifying omen, casting a shadow over the rest of their trip. However, in Japanese culture, the concept of Daikyo is far more nuanced than a simple promise of doom. It is a fascinating intersection of history, philosophy, and probability that offers a unique window into the Japanese mindset regarding fate.
Origins of the Omikuji System
To understand Daikyo, one must first understand the Omikuji (fortune slip) system. While divination has existed in Japan since ancient times, the modern format found in temples and shrines is largely attributed to Ryogen (also known as Ganzan Daishi), a high-ranking monk of the Tendai sect in the 10th century. Legend holds that the format of 100 specific poems used in many temples today originated from a revelation he received from the Bodhisattva Kannon.
Originally, these fortunes were used to guide serious political and personal decisions. The distribution of luck follows a curve, usually ranging from Great Blessing (Daikichi) down to Great Curse (Daikyo). In the traditional “Ganzan Daishi” probability distribution—which strictly adheres to the original texts—the ratio of bad luck is actually quite high. This is why older temples like Senso-ji are notorious for handing out Daikyo, while many modern shrines have removed the “Great Curse” entirely to avoid upsetting tourists and younger generations.
The Legend and Philosophy: Why Bad is Good
Why would a temple issue a curse to a paying visitor? The answer lies in the Eastern philosophy of Yin and Yang and the cyclical nature of the universe. In Japanese thought, luck is not static; it is fluid.
There is a prevailing belief that when one reaches the absolute bottom, the only way to go is up. This concept is often summarized by the phrase “Onmyo-do” principles suggests that extreme yin turns to yang. Therefore, pulling a Daikyo is paradoxically seen by some as a turning point. You have hit the nadir of your luck cycle. By acknowledging it and exercising caution, you are essentially resetting your fate toward the positive.
Conversely, pulling a Daikichi (Great Blessing) carries the warning that you have reached the peak, and your luck may soon decline if you become arrogant. The Daikyo is a stern advisor: it tells you to be humble, wait, and avoid rash actions.
Modern Culture and the Rarity of the Curse
In contemporary Japan, the Daikyo has taken on a somewhat cult status due to its increasing rarity. Because many commercialized shrines want visitors to feel happy, they have rigged the odds by removing the Daikyo slips from the boxes entirely. As a result, pulling a Daikyo at strict, traditional temples is now seen by some locals as a “rare drop” in a video game—a unique experience worth sharing on social media.
Anime and manga often dramatize the Daikyo for comedic effect, showing characters struck by lightning or tripping immediately after reading the slip. In reality, Japanese people generally react with a mix of “Oh no!” and laughter. It is a shared communal moment of commiseration. It serves as a reminder that life is unpredictable, and resilience is key.
Traveler’s Tips: What to Do If You Pull Daikyo
If you find yourself holding that ominous strip of paper, do not despair. Here is the cultural protocol for handling a Great Curse:
- Read and Reflect: The text usually offers specific advice regarding travel, lost items, or health. Take the advice as a caution to be careful, not a guarantee of disaster.
- Leave it Behind: The most common custom for bad fortunes is to tie the paper strip to a designated rack or a pine tree on the temple grounds. In Japanese, “pine tree” (matsu) shares the same sound as the verb “to wait” (matsu). By tying the bad luck there, you are asking the spirit of the tree to hold onto the misfortune so you don’t have to carry it home.
- Use Your Non-Dominant Hand: Some superstitions suggest tying the knot with your non-dominant hand. If you succeed, you have displayed the skill and focus necessary to overcome the difficulty.
- Buy an Omamori: If you are truly worried, you can purchase an Omamori (amulet) specifically for warding off evil (Yaku-yoke) at the temple shop.
Sources & Further Reading
For those interested in the deep historical roots of Japanese divination and mythology, the following texts and subjects provide excellent context:
- The Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan): While not about Omikuji specifically, this classical text establishes the foundational Shinto myths and the importance of divination in early Japanese history.
- Ganzan Daishi History: Researching the life of Ryogen (912–985 AD) provides insight into the standardization of the 100-slip fortune system.
- Senso-ji Temple Archives: As one of the few remaining temples strictly adhering to the 30% “bad luck” ratio, their official guides offer great insight into the philosophy of the Daikyo.