友引(ともびき)

One of the six days in the 六曜(ろくよう) (rokuyo) calendar system, which cycles through: 先勝(せんしょう), 友引(ともびき), 先負(せんぶ), 仏滅(ぶつめつ), 大安(たいあん), and 赤口(しゃっこう). The name literally means "pulling friends along," implying that fortune — whether good or bad — will be shared with those close to you.

Common collocations

• 友引(ともびき)の日(ひ): a tomobiki day
• 友引(ともびき)に葬式(そうしき)を避(さ)ける: to avoid funerals on tomobiki
• 友引(ともびき)に結婚式(けっこんしき)を挙(あ)げる: to hold a wedding on tomobiki

Cultural note

Funerals are strongly avoided on 友引(ともびき) because of the superstition that the deceased will "pull" a living friend along to the afterlife. Many crematoriums are closed on this day. Conversely, weddings and celebrations are considered favorable, since the happiness will be "shared" with friends. While younger generations may not observe these customs strictly, they still influence scheduling of major life events in Japan.

Related words

• 六曜(ろくよう): the six-day calendar cycle
• 大安(たいあん): most auspicious day in the cycle
• 仏滅(ぶつめつ): most inauspicious day in the cycle