Learn the superstitions about cutting your nails at night and dreaming of a white snake
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| INTRODUCTION |
| Eric: Hello and welcome to Culture Class: Japanese Superstitions and Beliefs, Lesson 2. Cutting Your Nails at Night and Dreaming of a White Snake. I'm Eric and I'm joined by Risa. |
| Risa: こんにちは！(konnichiwa!) Hi, I'm Risa. |
| THE TWO SUPERSTITIONS |
| Eric: In this lesson we’ll talk about two common superstitions in Japan. The first superstition is about bad luck. What’s the superstition called in Japanese? |
| Risa: 夜爪, (よづめ, Yozume). |
| Eric: Which literally means "cutting nails at night." Risa, can you repeat the Japanese phrase again? |
| Risa: [slow] 夜爪 [normal] 夜爪 |
| Eric: In Japan, it's believed that you won't be able to be by your parents' deathbeds if you cut your fingernails at night. |
| Risa: This superstition is actually for safety. |
| Eric: It's because, in ancient times, they didn’t have electric lights, so the light at night was very weak. |
| Risa: Cutting your nails at night was not safe, and you could easily cut yourself accidentally. |
| Eric: So what does that have to do with your parents’ deathbeds? |
| Risa: No idea. |
| Eric: The second superstition is about good luck. What’s the superstition called in Japanese? |
| Risa: 白蛇の夢, (しろへびのゆめ, Shiro hebi no yume). |
| Eric: Which literally means "a dream of a white snake." Let’s hear it in Japanese again. |
| Risa: [slow] 白蛇の夢 [normal] 白蛇の夢 |
| Eric: In Japan, it's believed that if a white snake appears in your dream, something very good and lucky will happen to you. |
| Risa: You’ll have especially good luck when it comes to money. |
| Eric: So where does this superstition come from, Risa? |
| Risa: Well, white snakes are very rare. |
| Eric: And, through the ages, it’s been believed that they have mysterious powers. |
| Risa: That’s right! |
Outro |
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| Eric: There you have it - two Japanese superstitions! Are they similar to any of your country’s superstitions? Let us know in the comments! |
| Risa: またね！(matane!) |
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