Yakuyoke: The Japanese Art of Warding Off Evil
In Japan, certain ages are considered dangerous — years when misfortune is most likely to strike. These are called yakudoshi (unlucky years), and the tradition of protecting yourself from their influence is known as yakuyoke.
Wondering if you're in a yakudoshi year right now? This guide covers what yakuyoke means, a year-by-year calendar to check your status, and how yakuyoke Omamori can protect you.
What Is Yakuyoke?
Yaku (厄) means calamity or misfortune. Yoke (除け) means to ward off or avoid. Together, yakuyoke is the practice of preventing bad luck before it happens — a tradition that Japanese people have maintained for centuries.
There are two main approaches to yakuyoke:
- *Formal prayer ritual (kitō)*: A Shinto priest or Buddhist monk performs an official purification ceremony at a shrine or temple
- Yakuyoke Omamori: Carry a protective charm daily to guard against misfortune wherever you go
Yakudoshi — The Unlucky Years
In Japan, specific ages are considered critical turning points — times when you're most vulnerable to misfortune.
Men's yakudoshi:
- Age 25 — with mae-yaku (pre-unlucky) at 24 and ato-yaku (post-unlucky) at 26
- Age 42 (Great Unlucky Year) — the most dangerous, with mae-yaku at 41 and ato-yaku at 43
- Age 61 — with mae-yaku at 60 and ato-yaku at 62
Women's yakudoshi:
- Age 19 — with mae-yaku at 18 and ato-yaku at 20
- Age 33 (Great Unlucky Year) — the most dangerous, with mae-yaku at 32 and ato-yaku at 34
- Age 37 — with mae-yaku at 36 and ato-yaku at 38
- Age 61 — with mae-yaku at 60 and ato-yaku at 62
Each yakudoshi spans three years total — the year before (mae-yaku), the main year (hon-yaku), and the year after (ato-yaku).
Interestingly, Japanese wordplay explains why 42 and 33 are the "great" unlucky years: 42 sounds like shi-ni (death), and 33 sounds like san-zan (terrible) in Japanese.
Note: Yakudoshi uses the traditional Japanese kazoedoshi counting system, where you're considered 1 year old at birth. In practice, this means adding 1 to your Western age.
Yakudoshi Calendar — Are You in a Yakudoshi Year?
Find your birth year in the tables below to check if you're currently in a yakudoshi year (already calculated using kazoedoshi):
Men's Yakudoshi Calendar:
| Year | Mae-yaku (24) | Hon-yaku (25) | Ato-yaku (26) | Mae-yaku (41) | Great Yaku (42) | Ato-yaku (43) | Mae-yaku (60) | Hon-yaku (61) | Ato-yaku (62) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Born 2003 | Born 2002 | Born 2001 | Born 1986 | Born 1985 | Born 1984 | Born 1967 | Born 1966 | Born 1965 |
| 2027 | Born 2004 | Born 2003 | Born 2002 | Born 1987 | Born 1986 | Born 1985 | Born 1968 | Born 1967 | Born 1966 |
| 2028 | Born 2005 | Born 2004 | Born 2003 | Born 1988 | Born 1987 | Born 1986 | Born 1969 | Born 1968 | Born 1967 |
| 2029 | Born 2006 | Born 2005 | Born 2004 | Born 1989 | Born 1988 | Born 1987 | Born 1970 | Born 1969 | Born 1968 |
| 2030 | Born 2007 | Born 2006 | Born 2005 | Born 1990 | Born 1989 | Born 1988 | Born 1971 | Born 1970 | Born 1969 |
Women's Yakudoshi Calendar:
| Year | Mae (18) | Hon (19) | Ato (20) | Mae (32) | Great (33) | Ato (34) | Mae (36) | Hon (37) | Ato (38) | Mae (60) | Hon (61) | Ato (62) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Born 2009 | Born 2008 | Born 2007 | Born 1995 | Born 1994 | Born 1993 | Born 1991 | Born 1990 | Born 1989 | Born 1967 | Born 1966 | Born 1965 |
| 2027 | Born 2010 | Born 2009 | Born 2008 | Born 1996 | Born 1995 | Born 1994 | Born 1992 | Born 1991 | Born 1990 | Born 1968 | Born 1967 | Born 1966 |
| 2028 | Born 2011 | Born 2010 | Born 2009 | Born 1997 | Born 1996 | Born 1995 | Born 1993 | Born 1992 | Born 1991 | Born 1969 | Born 1968 | Born 1967 |
| 2029 | Born 2012 | Born 2011 | Born 2010 | Born 1998 | Born 1997 | Born 1996 | Born 1994 | Born 1993 | Born 1992 | Born 1970 | Born 1969 | Born 1968 |
| 2030 | Born 2013 | Born 2012 | Born 2011 | Born 1999 | Born 1998 | Born 1997 | Born 1995 | Born 1994 | Born 1993 | Born 1971 | Born 1970 | Born 1969 |
Find your birth year, then look at the column header to see which type of yakudoshi you're in. Bold hon-yaku years require the most caution.
Types of Yakuyoke Protection
Yakuyoke Omamori
Yakuyoke Omamori provide daily protection against misfortune wherever you go.
They typically feature black, navy, or white designs — colors considered the most powerful for protection.
→ Browse Protection & Safety Omamori
Yakubarai — The Purification Ritual
A formal prayer ceremony performed at a shrine or temple by a Shinto priest or Buddhist monk.
- Typically performed before entering your yakudoshi year (January–February, before Setsubun)
- Costs around ¥5,000–¥10,000 (approximately $35–$70)
- The priest recites sacred prayers to purify and protect the visitor
Mamorigami & Ofuda — Home Protection
Talisman-style charms designed to protect spaces rather than people.
- Hang at your entrance to protect your entire home
- Place in your car for traffic safety
- No need to carry them — they guard the space around them continuously
Famous Yakuyoke Shrines
Japan has several shrines and temples especially famous for yakuyoke:
Sano Yakuyoke Daishi (Tochigi)
The most famous yakuyoke destination in the Kanto region. Around 1 million people visit during the first three days of the New Year. A Tendai Buddhist temple enshrining Ganzan Daishi, with yakuyoke traditions dating back over 700 years to the Kamakura period.
Hie Shrine (Tokyo)
Known for the wordplay "ma ga saru" — "evil leaves" — which sounds like the Japanese word for monkey (saru). The shrine's sacred monkey statues are believed to drive away evil and attract good fortune. Located in Akasaka, it's popular with business professionals seeking yakuyoke blessings.
Kawasaki Daishi (Kanagawa)
One of Japan's most visited temples during New Year's. Dedicated to Kobo Daishi (Kukai), it's renowned for goma kitō — a powerful esoteric Buddhist fire ritual where prayers are offered through sacred flames. Visitors come from across the Kanto region for its potent yakuyoke blessings.
FAQ
1. Do I need to worry about yakudoshi if I'm not Japanese?
Yakudoshi is a Japanese cultural concept, and whether you observe it is entirely up to you. That said, the underlying idea — pausing at certain life stages to reflect and take extra care — is valuable regardless of culture or religion. Many Japanese people use yakudoshi as motivation to focus on health, set new goals, and appreciate life.
2. Can I do yakuyoke from outside Japan?
You don't need to visit Japan to receive yakuyoke protection. Carrying a yakuyoke Omamori provides daily spiritual protection. Browse our Protection & Safety collection to find one that resonates with you.
3. When is the best time to get a yakuyoke Omamori?
Traditionally, before your yakudoshi year begins (January–February, around Setsubun). But there's no wrong time — whenever you feel you need protection is the right moment.
Ward off misfortune before it arrives. Find your yakuyoke protection today.
→ Browse Protection & Safety Omamori
→ What Is Omamori? — The Complete Guide
When your yakuyoke Omamori has fulfilled its duty, our Return Service ensures a proper otakiage farewell.