5 Weird but Fascinating Japanese Old Wives’ Tales You’ll Never Forget
If you’ve ever grown up hearing strange things like “don’t swallow gum or it’ll stay in your stomach for seven years,” then you’re gonna love this list. Japanese old wives’ tales—called fūbōsetsu in Japanese—are full of super quirky, spooky, and sometimes downright hilarious life advice. Whether they’re based on a little bit of truth or just meant to scare kids into behaving, these tales have been passed down for generations in Japan.
Let’s dive into 5 of the most famous and seriously interesting ones!
1. If You Lie, an Oni Will Pull Out Your Tongue
Yikes, right?
This is probably one of the scariest Japanese old wives’ tales I’ve ever heard, and yes—it’s totally meant to scare little kids into telling the truth. The idea is that if you tell a lie, an oni (Japanese demon) will sneak up and yank your tongue out. Ouch.
In Japan, oni are terrifying horned creatures from folklore who usually punish bad people. So this tale is basically Japan’s version of “the boogeyman will get you.” It's all about teaching kids the importance of honesty in a way they'll never forget.
2. If You Cut Your Nails at Night, You Won’t Be Able to See Your Parents Before They Die
This one hits a little deeper. It’s a really popular Japanese superstition, and many people still believe it even today.
The tale goes: if you cut your nails at night, it’s considered bad luck because it symbolizes an early death. The deeper meaning? You won’t live long enough to be with your parents at the end of their lives.
Historically, cutting your nails at night was also dangerous because homes used candles or oil lamps—not exactly safe for sharp objects. So the tale probably started as a way to prevent accidents, and then turned into something more emotional and spiritual.
3. If You Whistle at Night, Snakes or Thieves Will Come
This is a classic one in Japanese households. If you’re whistling after dark, someone will definitely tell you to stop because “you’ll attract snakes or thieves!”
The belief is that whistling at night could summon dangerous spirits, or worse—draw the attention of real-life burglars. In older times, people believed that sneaky criminals would use whistles to communicate, and snakes were often seen as messengers from the spirit world.
So yeah, this tale isn’t just about noise—it’s a warning that night is for peace, not for causing trouble.
4. Don’t Sleep With Your Head Pointing North
This might sound random, but in Japan, sleeping with your head facing north is a big no-no. It’s because that’s the direction used for placing the bodies of the deceased during Buddhist funerals.
So if you sleep that way, it’s believed to invite bad luck or even death. Kind of intense, right?
Even today, many people in Japan will go out of their way to arrange their beds to face literally any other direction but north. It’s one of those quiet traditions that a lot of people follow—just in case.
5. If You Play With Fire, You’ll Wet the Bed
Okay, this one’s definitely made for kids.
It goes: if you play with fire, you’ll end up wetting the bed at night.
Obviously, there’s no science behind this one—but it’s a clever way for adults to stop kids from playing with matches, candles, or stoves. It’s embarrassing enough for a child to think about wetting the bed, so they’ll think twice before messing around with something dangerous.
Smart parenting, the old-fashioned way!
Final Thoughts
From oni demons to funeral superstitions, Japanese old wives’ tales are a wild mix of fear, wisdom, and culture. Whether you're traveling in Japan, raising bilingual kids, or just love learning quirky things from around the world, these little stories give a fun peek into everyday Japanese beliefs.
