1.
unlucky day (except around noon); inauspicious day in the rokuyo calendar
One of the six days in the traditional rokuyo calendar cycle, considered generally unlucky except for the period around noon. Associated with fire-related misfortune.
今日は赤口だから気をつけよう。
Today is shakkou, so let's be careful.
赤口の日に結婚式を挙げるのは避けたほうがいい。
It's better to avoid holding a wedding on a shakkou day.
カレンダーに赤口と書いてあったが、正午ごろだけは吉とされているので、お昼に契約を済ませた。
The calendar said shakkou, but since around noon is considered auspicious, we completed the contract at midday.
One of the six days in the 六曜 (rokuyo) calendar system, which cycles through 先勝, 友引, 先負, 仏滅, 大安, and 赤口. The rokuyo system is still printed on many Japanese calendars and influences the scheduling of weddings, funerals, and other important events.
赤口 is considered the second most unlucky day after 仏滅. The only auspicious time is around noon (roughly 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.). The character 赤 is associated with fire, so fire-related accidents are especially feared on this day.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 赤口の日: a shakkou day
- 赤口を避ける: to avoid shakkou days
- 赤口の正午: noon on shakkou (the only auspicious time)
RELATED TERMS:
- 六曜: the six-day calendar cycle
- 大安: the most auspicious day in the rokuyo cycle
- 仏滅: the most unlucky day in the rokuyo cycle
- 友引: a day when funerals are traditionally avoided