Tsumuji: A Hair Whorl! (Patreon)

It's also one of my favorite words. Tsumuji. If you had asked me before I came to Japan if I knew what a hair whorl was, I wouldn't have had a clue. It's tsumuji in Japanese, and everyone knows what a tsumuji is. And I just love that they do. Because it's important. Well, kind of. There are some funky old wives' tales out there. For example, by looking at the direction of the tsumuji on your first child, (clockwise, counter closewise?) you are supposed to be able to predict the sex of your second.

But I don't know much about that.

This is internet science, but a couple Japanese sites said that approximately 90% of people have one tsumuji, 7% have two and 3% have three.

Having more than one has all kinds of fun beliefs. Like...

1) Anyone born with more than one tsumuji is a genius!

2) Another says that because of the crown chakra, well, having more than one means you are more privy to cosmic connection. This makes you more spiritual and have heightened intuition compared to the average person. Cool.

3) In Okinawa they call someone born with more than one "tāchimacha" or full of energy and mischievous. But they grow up to be someone very important.

4) Two or more tsumuji-jin are positive thinkers.

5) They can be stubborn, but are confident in their own ideas and have strong convictions. This is said to earn the trust of others.

6) Live strong lives and are born leaders.

Okay, I need to get back to packing and getting ready for the trip. Funny.

Typhoon Jebi is going to be right off the coast of Haneda Airport tomorrow, the day we leave. Compared to a few days ago, it looks to be veering east. So maybe okay.

fingers crossed

I've spent the night in Haneda before. But don't really want to again. Unless things have changed, there aren't a lot of hotels in the area and they get booked up quicky.

I'll be in the States, but still post here. This month's podcasts are already done and Richard scheduled them. So good to go there.

I want to dedicate the tsumuji post to a little guy whose dad posted that he had not only two tsumujis but they were shaped liked a heart. I would think that as far as lucky signs go, that's pretty up there! Me? One tsumuji.

XO, stay safe and well!

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