Kondaya Genbey

A deep tradition runs throughout East Asian cultures of ascribing certain numbers and dates with innately auspicious or inauspicious qualities. The balance of Yin (negative) and Yang (positive) is key to this calculus; odd numbers are associated with Yin, and even numbers with Yang. Weddings and other celebrations may be scheduled on dates that are deemed auspicious; when choosing a child’s name, parents might consider the number of strokes in the characters in order to incorporate a number with positive connotations. Takashi Tomo-oka, Chrysanthemum The Japanese holiday Chōyō no sekku...