1.
six-day repeating calendar cycle for auspiciousness
A traditional Japanese calendar system dividing days into six types with varying degrees of luck. Still widely consulted for scheduling weddings, business openings, and funerals. The six days cycle through the month.
六曜で大安の日を選んで結婚式を挙げた。
They held their wedding on a Taian day according to the six-day calendar.
六曜は科学的な根拠はないが、現代でも行事の日程に影響することがある。
The six-day cycle has no scientific basis, but it still influences the scheduling of events in the modern era.
The six days of the cycle, in order:
- 大安: great peace — most auspicious; popular for weddings
- 友引: friend-pulling — auspicious except for funerals (said to pull friends along in death)
- 先勝: pre-emptive win — mornings auspicious; avoid afternoons
- 先負: pre-emptive loss — afternoons auspicious; avoid mornings
- 仏滅: Buddha's passing — most inauspicious; avoid ceremonies
- 赤口: red mouth — mostly inauspicious; midday only is auspicious
Still printed on many traditional Japanese calendars and consulted for major life events despite having no historical connection to Buddhist or Shinto tradition.