My parents and grandparents told me, "You can't do this," but why?

There are quite a lot of legends and jinxes that make you think.

But it is a very useful lesson that people thought long ago.

This time, I will introduce the legend about shoes with interpretation.

table of contents

1. The Role of Tradition

If you look up the word "tradition" in the dictionary, you will find " a story or legend that has been handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. "

Many of them are like teachings that have been handed down literally in words and have no scientific basis. You can find many.

For example, there is a famous saying, "If you cut your nails at night, you won't be able to see your parents die."

According to one theory, it is said that Yotsume shortens one's lifespan and prematurely dies because it is a pun of the world.

If I think about it literally, I don't think it's possible to cut my nails, see my parents die without cutting them, or not to see them, but...

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It is said that this legend was born long ago, when home lighting equipment was scarce, and simply taught that ``using medium-sized knives in the dark is dangerous''.

"I can't see my parents die" doesn't have any scientific basis, but you can understand "It's dangerous to use a dark medium knife".

In an era when religious beliefs were stronger than today, it must have been taught in an easy-to-understand manner so that more people would believe and hesitate to do dangerous things.

Legends, jinxes, superstitions...

There are various ways to say it, but there are many things that can not be said.

2. Shoe myths

Some of the lore has to do with shoes.

In modern times, even if you wonder "Why?", it will surely be useful to know the historical background and the meaning behind what was said.

This time, we will take a look at five legends that are still relevant today.

2-1 If you give shoes to your lover, they will break up (Korea)

Shoes that aren't very popular as gifts for lovers...lol

I feel that I work for a shoe manufacturer, but there really aren't many inquiries about presents.

It's still a gift for the same sex and family, but there are really few people who buy it as a gift for the opposite sex.

When I listened to the voices that were sent among them, most of the voices were "I wanted this because I wanted it" and "We chose it together".

I vaguely thought that it might be because it was difficult to understand the size and preferences, but in fact, there was a legend like this.

It seems that if you give shoes to your lover, they will wear them and go far away = break up, so it is considered taboo.

Wearing new shoes is reminiscent of departure, and it is said that you will leave yourself.

I see.

Especially when it comes to new shoes, you can imagine the image of taking a step forward = moving forward.

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In the first place, the act of gifting shoes itself is considered not very good even if it is not a lover.

The word "shoes" can be read as "pain", and the act of "stepping" can be taken as a contempt for the other person...

Of course, in modern times, more attention is paid to whether gifts are thoughtful or thoughtful of the recipient, rather than rules and etiquette.

In short, it is the condition that "OK if the people are good!"

That being said, it might be best to avoid it as a gift for the elderly.

…or rather, shoes are really difficult to choose the size!

Even if there are many 23.5 cm shoes at the entrance, it is quite possible that the same size shoes do not fit.

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In fact, many women change their size according to the shape of their shoes.

For me, sneakers are 24.0 cm, pumps are 23.5 cm, and sandals are more detailed.

So I think this legend has a strong sense of admonition that "you should stop giving shoes because there is a high probability that you will fail."

Especially if it's something you got from your lover, it's hard to tell even if the size doesn't match...

If you really want to send shoes, it is safe to choose them together.

It's easy to understand that people of the same sex, especially brothers and sisters, and family members have the same foot specs, so I think it's easy to give.

I have almost the same specs as my sister, so I try to give her something that fits her perfectly, and the success rate is 100%.

Be careful when donating shoes.

Not recommended for surprise gifts.

2-2 Don't take off your new shoes at night (Japan)

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Since it is a Japanese legend, many people must have heard of it.

If you take off your newly bought shoes at night, you will get hurt, get into an accident, bad luck, etc...

It is said variously, but I think that the real reason is easy to imagine.

In the old days, there were no streets like there are now, and it was really dark at night.

It seems that there was no custom of going out at night because of that, and it was only when there was a wake.

Don't let them go out at night, which is dangerous and associated with death.

It seems that the compassion of the old people has been handed down to the present day as a legend.

If you really want to take off your new shoes at night, it's a good idea to get the soles a little dirty before putting them on.

Lightly broiled with fire or scratched.

This seems to be nothing more than a superstition for the purpose of warding off evil, but it can be a deterrent if you can't go out without doing so.

Nowadays, there are streets and shops that are open 24 hours a day, and going out at night has become a matter of course, but the streets at night are still dangerous.

Especially new shoes are not familiar with your feet and may cause slips, falls and injuries.

Even in today's brighter nights, it might be better not to put on new shoes at night.

2-3 Don't take off your new shoes on rainy days (Japan)

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It's similar to the old saying that you shouldn't take your new shoes off at night, but not in the rain.

Because it gets dirty! …not.

Rain is rather gloomy.

It evokes negative emotions such as sadness and tears, as well as a depressed mind.

It seems that going out on a rainy day is considered bad because it reminds us of life's stumbling blocks and dirt.

However, this is also the same as the pattern of the previous night, and it is like a lesson to refrain from going out because the road is bad and it is easy to slip and fall on rainy days.

In the past, roads weren't as paved as they are today, and it's dangerous to go out with shoes you can't wear while visibility is poor.

Even if the road is paved in modern times, it is still dangerous. On rainy days, I would like to go out with comfortable shoes if possible.

2-4 Good luck will come if you put baby shoes at the entrance (France)

In some parts of Europe, including France, baby shoes themselves are considered good luck charms.

Therefore, it is customary to display baby shoes that are no longer used at the entrance, or to give baby shoes as wedding gifts.

Baby shoes certainly look cute, and they're pretty good as an interior.

Especially for couples who want to have a child, there is a legend that if you display baby shoes, "the baby will come to wear them (get pregnant)", so there are many couples who try it, even if it is just a child.

…However, many people are quite nervous about pregnancy, so I don't think it's good to believe in jinx too much.

It's important to take your time and go at your own pace so that you don't take advantage of your rush to get pregnant and end up buying second-hand items at a high price!

2-5 Don't go out of the house with new shoes in your room (Japan)

When wearing new shoes, many people first try them on indoors.

It's the same with our store, but it's even more so when it's a shoe you bought at an online shop.

But have you ever heard that you shouldn't go out like that?

If you try them on indoors and they fit perfectly, you might end up going out as they are, but it's considered bad luck, and it's said that it's best to wear new shoes once you've stepped outside the front door. increase.

The reason lies in the customs of old funerals.

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The deceased is made to wear new shoes for the journey of death and placed in a coffin.

In the past, funerals were held at home, not at funeral homes like today, so when the funeral was over, the coffin was carried out of the house.

Because of this, it is considered bad luck to leave the house wearing new shoes because it reminds one of leaving the coffin.

For the same reason, the coffin is put out from the engawa into the garden, so it is forbidden to invite guests from the engawa or to enter the coffin except for funerals.

In addition, in the ritual of leaving the coffin called Nobe Okuri, those who join the funeral procession wear new sandals made for that purpose.

They put on new sandals in the tatami room, carry the coffin on their shoulders, go out from the porch, carry the coffin to the grave or the crematorium, and throw it off on the way home.

This is also the reason why you should never leave the house in your new shoes.

By the way, it was considered deadly unclean to wear new zori when sent to a field, or to throw them away and go home.

Also, funerals and nobeokuri are usually held in the afternoon, so it seems that it is not good to take off new shoes in the afternoon.

Anything that reminds you of the dead or a funeral is taboo.

Also, although it's just my imagination from here, I think there's a meaning to the lesson that you shouldn't go outside with a new pair of shoes.

It is very dangerous to jump outside while standing on your feet.

It may mean that you should take off your shoes and go outside calmly.

3. Summary

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If you know the meaning and etymology of what people say in the old days, it is often useful as wisdom for life.

Especially when it comes to shoes, besides good luck and wisdom, they are also used to protect themselves and avoid danger.

Feet are closely related to life and health.

It is said that the feet are the second heart.

Precisely because the feet are so important, useful teachings about walking and the shoes that support it may have been handed down to the present day.

We shouldn't believe everything blindly, but a little reflection on the lessons implied in the legend may help us live a better life.