Glossary
A small glossary of words you'll see across the site - 'yuru', 'rest', and friends.
Daikichi (Great Fortune)
The highest fortune label in omikuji. Drawing one feels great, but the elegant response is to accept it quietly, knowing that peaks eventually level off.
Hankichi (Half Fortune)
A fortune label sitting roughly between good and bad luck. Used at select shrines as part of an extended ranking system such as a twelve-tier scale.
Hira (Even / Steady)
An omikuji label meaning 'nothing especially good or bad today.' Found at select shrines, it is sometimes embraced as the symbol of stable fortune.
Kyou (Misfortune)
The 'bad luck' label in omikuji. It sounds scary, but modern interpretations treat it as a sign to slow down and proceed carefully rather than a curse.
Lucky Item
A small object said to boost your fortune for the day, listed on omikuji or horoscopes. No need to take it literally; use it as a nudge to try something new.
Omikuji
Small paper fortunes drawn at Japanese shrines and temples. A lighthearted ritual said to be over a thousand years old, offering a single phrase that fits your day.
Ranking of Kichi Labels
The order of omikuji labels (daikichi, chukichi, shokichi, kichi, suekichi, etc.) differs by shrine. At some shrines, the ranking defies intuition.
Shinsen (Sacred Lottery)
The classical term for omikuji, meaning 'sacred lottery.' The word combines 'god' and 'lot,' and became 'omikuji' once the honorific prefix 'o' was added.
Suekichi (Future Fortune)
A fortune label that can be read as 'things will gradually improve over time.' Not flashy right now, but the seeds of good luck can be seen as already sprouting.
Unsei (Fortune Trend)
The general 'direction of luck' flowing around you during a given period. Best used not as a prediction tool, but as a prompt for adjusting your behavior.