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Yakudoshi Explained: Japan's "Unlucky Ages"

Yakudoshi often comes up in conversation as "this year is my unlucky year." Here are the traditional counting method and the difference between mae-yaku, hon-yaku, and ato-yaku.

What is yakudoshi

Ages traditionally believed to be more prone to misfortune over the course of a life. There's no scientific basis for this β€” it's a belief and custom passed down since ancient times.

Ages are traditionally counted using the old counting system

Yakudoshi ages are generally calculated using the old East Asian age-counting system, where a person is age 1 at birth and gains a year with each New Year. Note that this creates a gap from your actual (Western-style) age.

Main unlucky ages for men

Traditionally, ages 25, 42, and 61 (by the old counting system) are considered unlucky, with 42 in particular treated as the most significant ("dai-yaku") because it sounds similar to the word for "death" in Japanese.

Main unlucky ages for women

Traditionally, ages 19, 33, 37, and 61 (by the old counting system) are considered unlucky, with 33 treated as the most significant ("dai-yaku") because it sounds similar to a word meaning "disastrous." The exact ages can vary somewhat by region or shrine.

Mae-yaku, hon-yaku, and ato-yaku

The year before an unlucky year is called "mae-yaku," the unlucky year itself "hon-yaku," and the year after "ato-yaku" β€” all three years are traditionally treated as a period to be mindful.

What is yaku-barai / yaku-yoke

A purification ritual received at a shrine or temple by someone in their unlucky year, meant to ward off misfortune. There's no fixed timing, but many people have it done sometime between New Year and Setsubun (early February).

An unlucky year doesn't necessarily mean bad things will happen

One theory holds that yakudoshi ages were originally compiled around ages when physical changes tend to occur, or major life milestones. Being in your yakudoshi year doesn't guarantee misfortune β€” many people simply treat it as a prompt to pay a bit more attention to their health and surroundings than usual.

Receiving yaku-barai isn't mandatory

Whether to receive yaku-barai is entirely a personal decision, based on one's beliefs or family customs β€” there's no rule requiring it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do yakudoshi ages vary by region?

Yes β€” the ages described here are the widely recognized standard, but some shrines, temples, and regions use somewhat different ages. If you're curious, it's worth checking with a local shrine.

Do children have yakudoshi too?

The commonly discussed yakudoshi ages are mainly for adults, but in some regions, ages marking milestones in a child's growth are also treated as unlucky years.