厄除(やくよ)け

やくよけ
noun
warding off bad luck; evil-averting charm
religionculture
1. warding off bad luck; evil-averting charm
The practice of warding off misfortune, or a charm or ritual performed for that purpose, especially during unlucky years.
厄除(やくよ)けのお守(まも)りを買(か)った。
I bought a good-luck charm to ward off bad luck.
今年(ことし)は厄年(やくどし)なので、厄除(やくよ)けの祈祷(きとう)を受(う)けた。
This is my unlucky year, so I had a prayer ceremony to ward off bad luck.
節分(せつぶん)に豆(まめ)まきをするのは、昔(むかし)からの厄除(やくよ)けの風習(ふうしゅう)だと言(い)われている。
Throwing beans at Setsubun is said to be an age-old custom for warding off evil.

A compound of 厄(やく) (misfortune, calamity) and 除(よ)け (warding off, averting). Refers both to the general concept of averting bad luck and to specific rituals, charms, or talismans used for that purpose.

In Japanese folk belief, certain ages are considered 厄年(やくどし) (unlucky years) — typically 25 and 42 for men, 19 and 33 for women. People often visit shrines and temples during these years for 厄除(やくよ)け rituals. The practice is especially popular at New Year and 節分(せつぶん).

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 魔除(まよ)け: warding off evil spirits — focuses on supernatural threats rather than general misfortune
  • お祓(はら)い: purification rite — a broader Shinto ritual that includes but is not limited to averting bad luck

Related Words

Compare: 魔除(まよ)け (warding off evil spirits)
Compare: お祓(はら)い (purification rite)
Compare: 厄払(やくばら)い (warding off evil)
general
Added 2026.4.20 23:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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