Superstitions of Japan

There are famous superstitions which have been passed down from olden days in Japan. One of the superstitions that my mother told me when I was child, “If you whistle in the night, snakes appear”. It is said that Snakes stated herein are the symbol of ominous things. I like to whistle from childhood, so I’m often told this superstition by my mother. I remember this superstition even now when I whistle.

Another superstition that I know is “If you show your navel, thunder god falls from the sky and picks it.” I heard that this superstition is a certain warning that you will feel sick to your stomach from parents to children. I think that early people passed on their lore through these superstitions.