1.
year after an unlucky year; post-calamity year
The year immediately following the main unlucky year (本厄) in the yakudoshi cycle. Considered the final year of the calamity period, when bad luck is gradually fading but caution is still advised.
今年は後厄だからまだ油断できない。
This year is my post-calamity year, so I still can't let my guard down.
後厄が終わって、やっと安心した。
I was finally relieved when my post-calamity year ended.
後厄の年にも厄払いに行く人は少なくなく、三年間を通して慎重に過ごす人もいる。
Not a few people go for purification even in the post-calamity year, and some spend all three years cautiously.
Part of the 厄年 (unlucky year) cycle in Japanese folk belief. The three-year cycle consists of 前厄 (pre-calamity year) → 本厄 (main unlucky year) → 後厄. Even during 後厄, many people continue to exercise caution, as misfortune is believed to linger.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 後厄が終わる: for the post-calamity year to end
- 後厄の年: the year of one's post-calamity period
- 後厄も気をつける: to be careful even in the post-calamity year
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 前厄: pre-calamity year — the warning year before the main unlucky year
- 本厄: main unlucky year — the peak of the calamity cycle
- 厄年: unlucky year — the general term for the entire system
- 厄明け: end of the unlucky period — when all three years have passed