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What Is Omikuji?|Fortune Ranks, What the Slip Says and Tying It to a Tree

Omikuji are traditional Japanese fortunes you can draw at shrines and temples. On Kantei Mura’s Daily Omikuji, you can experience the whole ritual on screen: shake the box, draw a numbered stick and receive your slip from the matching drawer.

Where omikuji come from

Drawing lots (kuji) has long been a way to ask for the will of the gods when making important decisions.

The style we know today — drawing a numbered stick and receiving a paper slip — is often traced back to Ryogen (also known as Ganzan Daishi), a Buddhist monk of the Heian period. It became popular from around the Edo period, and today people enjoy it at New Year and on their travels.

The order of fortunes

Results include daikichi (great blessing), chukichi, shokichi, kichi, suekichi and kyo (bad luck). The exact order varies by shrine and temple; two common orders are:

Daikichi → Chukichi → Shokichi → Kichi → Suekichi → Kyo
Daikichi → Kichi → Chukichi → Shokichi → Suekichi → Kyo

Kantei Mura uses the first order. Suekichi means “luck that comes later” — it is not a bad result at all.

What the slip says

Besides the fortune rank, the slip gives advice on many parts of life. The main sections are:

Wishes (negaigoto): whether your wishes will come true, and the right attitude
Awaited person (machibito): whether someone you hope to meet will come
Lost items (usemono): whether lost things will be found
Love: how your love life will go
Work or business: how your work will go
Studies: studies and exams
Health: advice for your well-being

The real hints for daily life are in these words, not only in the rank.

Tie it or take it home?

Some people tie their slip to a tree or rack at the shrine; others keep it like an amulet. There is no strict rule, but generally:

Good fortune: take it home and reread it for encouragement
Bad fortune: tie it at the shrine and leave the bad luck behind

On Kantei Mura, when you draw kyo you can tap a button to tie your slip to the tree on screen.

Bad luck is okay

Drawing kyo can be disappointing, but it is also a kind warning about what to be careful of. Some people say, “If this is the bottom, the only way is up.” Keep the advice in mind and spend the day a little more carefully.

About Kantei Mura’s omikuji

Kantei Mura’s omikuji is based on your date of birth and today’s date. You get the same result all day, and a new fortune awaits tomorrow. Enjoy it as a daily luck check.

Shake the box and draw today’s omikuji

Draw today’s omikuji

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