Have you ever noticed the “Relocation” or “yautsuri” item on your omikuji? For anyone with a move on the horizon, what this section says is naturally a point of interest. In short, “Relocation (yautsuri)” is guidance from the gods regarding changes in residence, and it is a section for reading the timing and mindset around a move. This article provides a comprehensive guide — from the meaning of the relocation section, to classical expressions, directional interpretations, and specific steps to take when the result is unfavorable.
御要旨
- “Relocation (Yautsuri)” Is Divine Guidance on Moving and Changes in Residence
- The Relocation Section Covers Not Just Moving but All Changes in Living Environment
- Classical Expressions in the Relocation Section — A Complete List and How to Read Them
- “Yoroshi” and “Sashitsukaenashi” Are Positive Signs for Moving
- “Ugokanu ga Yoshi” and “Sawaganu ga Ri” Signal the Need for Careful Judgment
- When Direction Is Mentioned, Compare It to the Direction of Your New Home
- How to Apply the Relocation Section to Real Estate Decisions and Moving Timing
- What to Do When the Relocation Guidance Is Unfavorable but You Must Move
- Read the Relocation Section Together with Overall Fortune and the Poem
- In Closing
“Relocation (Yautsuri)” Is Divine Guidance on Moving and Changes in Residence
The “Relocation” section on omikuji means “moving house” or “changing your dwelling” in modern terms. In older notation, it may be written as “屋うつり (yautsuri)” or “家移り (yautsuri),” and both refer to the same thing.
Omikuji contains various categories for different aspects of daily life — awaited person, lost items, business, marriage prospects, and more — and relocation is one of them. The Association of Shinto Shrines (Jinja Honcho) explains that omikuji include “guidance relating to all aspects of daily life, including finances, romance, lost items, travel, awaited persons, and health” (Source: Jinja Honcho). The relocation section is part of this broader life guidance and is meant to be read as a reference for decisions regarding your living situation.
It is also worth noting that the terminology varies between shrines and temples. Sensoji uses “New construction / Moving,” Fushimi Inari Taisha uses “Building and relocation (tateya yautsuri),” and Kawasaki Daishi and Naritasan Shinshoji use “Residence.” Despite the different names, all of these refer to divine guidance about changes in dwelling and living environment.
The Relocation Section Covers Not Just Moving but All Changes in Living Environment
Treating the relocation section as relevant “only to people who are moving” is an overly narrow reading. The essence of the classical expression “ya (dwelling) moving” encompasses all changes in the environment surrounding you. Specifically, the following situations fall under the relocation section’s guidance:
| Situation | How It Relates to the Relocation Section |
|---|---|
| Moving / Changing residences | The most direct application. Includes lease renewals and home purchases. |
| Changing jobs / Departmental transfers | Can be read as “your place is changing” in terms of workplace environment. |
| Transferring schools / Advancing to higher education | Serves as guidance for the timing when your place of learning changes. |
| Starting a business / Becoming independent | The act of leaving home and starting a new life. |
| Moving in together / Starting a new life after marriage | A major turning point where your base of living changes. |
| Home renovation / Rebuilding | Qualifies because the living environment itself is changing. |
Omikuji has been popular as a guide for daily life since the Edo period, and even then, “yautsuri” had a broad meaning that included not just physical moves but also changes in service positions or establishing branch households. In modern terms, you can refer to the relocation section’s advice for any decision where “the base of your life is changing” — from job changes to starting a business. (The key is not to be constrained by the word “relocation” but to apply it to any situation involving environmental change.)
Classical Expressions in the Relocation Section — A Complete List and How to Read Them
The relocation section is often written in classical language with distinctive phrasing, and some entries can be difficult to interpret on first reading. Below is a comprehensive list covering everything from common messages to rarer expressions.
Auspicious Expressions
| Message | Reading / Meaning | Direction of Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Yoroshi / Yoi (Favorable / Good) | No problem with moving. | Proceed positively. |
| Banji yoroshi (All things favorable) | Everything is in good order. | No concerns about timing or direction. |
| Sashitsukaenashi (No hindrance) | Nothing stands in the way. | You can relocate without particular issues. |
| Isogu ga yoroshi (Act quickly) | It is better to move sooner. | Do not delay your decision. |
| Kichi nari (It is auspicious) | Auspicious; fortunate. | Good results can be expected. |
| Omoitachite yoshi (If you have decided, proceed) | If you have made up your mind, go ahead. | Cut through hesitation and take action. |
| Ri ari / Rieki ari (There is benefit) | There are benefits or good outcomes. | Suggests a positive financial outcome as well. |
Expressions Urging Caution
| Message | Reading / Meaning | Direction of Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Mazu yoroshi (Acceptable for now) | “For the time being,” it is okay. | Not an enthusiastic endorsement — depends on conditions. |
| Sawaganu ga yoshi / Sawaganu ga ri (Better not to rush) | Stay calm and make a measured judgment. | Better not to act hastily. |
| Juubun chuui seyo (Exercise thorough caution) | Careful judgment is needed. | Scrutinize conditions carefully. |
| Hito wo kaete sagase (Search through a different person) | Consult a different agent or intermediary. | Reassess your current options. |
| Shibashi mate / Toki wo mate (Wait a while / Wait for the right time) | Better to wait rather than act immediately. | Consider delaying by a few months. |
| Hougaku wo yoku miyo (Check the direction carefully) | Pay attention to direction. | Confirm the direction of your move. |
Unfavorable Expressions
| Message | Reading / Meaning | Direction of Judgment |
|---|---|---|
| Ugokanu ga yoshi (Better not to move) | It is better to stay put for now. | Consider postponing to a different time. |
| Hikaeyo (Hold back) | It would be better to pass. | Defer this time. |
| Kyou nari (It is inauspicious) | Inauspicious. | Shift the timing and take precautions. |
| Sawari ari (Obstacles present) | There are problems. | Reconsider, as there is a possibility of trouble. |
| Son ari (There will be loss) | Risk of financial loss. | Scrutinize costs and expenses especially carefully. |
(Note that the same word “yoroshi” carries a very different tone depending on whether it says “banji yoroshi” or “mazu yoroshi.” “Mazu” carries the nuance of “for the time being” and is not an enthusiastic endorsement — be sure not to overlook this difference.)
“Yoroshi” and “Sashitsukaenashi” Are Positive Signs for Moving
When the relocation section says “yoroshi,” “yoi,” or “sashitsukaenashi,” it can be read as favorable guidance for your move. “Isogu ga yoroshi” in particular is encouragement to act promptly if you have found a property or conditions you are happy with.
However, omikuji sections should not be read in isolation — the proper approach is to consider them alongside your overall fortune. For example, if overall fortune is “bad” but the relocation section says “yoroshi,” the move itself is not problematic, but caution regarding timing and preparation is warranted. Omikuji is like a weather forecast — “sunny” does not mean “anything goes.” It is a tool for adjusting your actions based on the situation.
“Ugokanu ga Yoshi” and “Sawaganu ga Ri” Signal the Need for Careful Judgment
On the other hand, phrases like “ugokanu ga yoshi,” “sawaganu ga ri nari,” and “hikaeyo” indicate a cautious stance toward moving. These are not absolute prohibitions against moving but rather advice that “now may not be the best time to rush.”
“Sawaganu ga ri” is an expression that is particularly prone to misunderstanding. It means “not making a fuss is to your benefit” — in modern terms, “do not rush into things; take time to decide calmly.” Even if you have already decided to move, this can be read as encouragement not to rush through negotiations or property selection but to compare options carefully and coolly.
If “hito wo kaete sagase” appears, it suggests trying a different real estate agent or intermediary. Use it as an opportunity to rethink the direction of your property search or who you are consulting.
When Direction Is Mentioned, Compare It to the Direction of Your New Home
Some omikuji include directional references in the relocation section, such as “the south is favorable,” “the west has obstacles,” or “heading east is auspicious.” In such cases, check the approximate direction of your new home from your current residence and use it as a reference.
How to Read Directional Expressions on Omikuji
| Example Directional Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Minami no kata yoroshi (The south is favorable) | Moving southward is auspicious. |
| Nishi ni sawari ari (The west has obstacles) | Moving westward faces obstacles. |
| Kita wa miawasu beshi (The north should be avoided) | Better to avoid a northward move. |
| Higashi ni mukau wa kichi (Heading east is auspicious) | An eastward move is favorable. |
| Hougaku wo yoku miyo (Check the direction carefully) | General caution about all directions rather than a specific one. |
Even when no direction is mentioned, some people supplement the relocation section’s fortune with direction-checking methods from Kyusei Kigaku (nine-star astrology) or the traditional calendar. In nine-star astrology, auspicious and inauspicious directions (such as Goousatsu, Ankensatsu, and Saiha) are defined by birth year and change annually. When the relocation section indicates caution, some use these as supplementary reference points.
That said, letting directional concerns dominate your decisions is putting the cart before the horse. Prioritize practical conditions like commute time, rent, and neighborhood environment, and treat direction as “a tiebreaker when choosing between two properties” — that is the healthiest way to use it. (Directional information from omikuji is best treated as “reference” rather than “verdict.”)
How to Apply the Relocation Section to Real Estate Decisions and Moving Timing
The relocation section of omikuji can be concretely applied to real estate decisions and the timing of your move. Here is how to use it at each stage.
During the Property Search Phase
If the result says “yoroshi” or “isogu ga yoroshi,” and you have found a property you like, applying early is the auspicious choice. Popular properties can be taken within the same day, so the omikuji’s encouragement can give you the push to decide. If the result says “sawaganu ga yoshi” or “shibashi mate,” it is better not to settle on just the options currently in front of you but to continue gathering information for a while longer.
During the Contract and Paperwork Phase
If you drew “juubun chuui seyo” (exercise thorough caution), use it as a prompt to carefully read the fine print of your contract. Special clauses, restoration costs upon move-out, renewal fees — provisions that are easy to skim over — deserve thorough review. Think of the omikuji’s caution as a “switch for being more careful.”
Choosing Your Moving Date
If the omikuji says “toki wo mate” (wait for the right time), delaying by one to two months can provide emotional closure for some people. Combining this with auspicious calendar dates (Taian, Tensha-nichi, Ichiryumanbai-bi, etc.) is another approach. However, if there are practical downsides such as double rent on a lease, prioritizing the financial decision over the omikuji result is the sound approach.
What to Do When the Relocation Guidance Is Unfavorable but You Must Move
Even when the relocation section says “hikaeyo” or “ugokanu ga yoshi,” there are many situations where a move cannot be avoided — job transfers, family circumstances, lease deadlines, and so on. Omikuji is advice, not a prohibition, so even a bad result can be adequately addressed with specific countermeasures.
- Visit the local ujigami shrine (the shrine protecting the area of your new home) before moving, to pay respects to the land’s guardian deity.
- Align your moving date with an auspicious day on the calendar, such as Taian or Tomobiki.
- Place mori-jio (purifying salt mounds) before entering your new home to cleanse the space.
- Draw a new omikuji at a shrine near your new home for fresh guidance.
- After unpacking, visit a nearby shrine promptly and consciously work toward settling into the new area.
“Katatagae” (Direction Avoidance) — An Ancient Japanese Directional Remedy
An age-old custom for those concerned about direction is “katatagae” (direction avoidance). This practice spread among Heian-period aristocrats and involves avoiding direct travel in an inauspicious direction by first making a stop in a different direction before proceeding to the destination. For example, if your new home is in the inauspicious west, you would first stay overnight at a relative’s home or hotel to the south or north, then proceed westward to your new residence.
Even today, some people adopt this approach. Hochigai Jinja in Sakai City is known for its blessings related to direction avoidance, and visitors seeking protection before a move or trip are a constant presence (Source: Hochigai Jinja Official Website). If directional concerns weigh heavily on your mind, visiting a shrine specializing in directional protection before your move can help put your mind at ease.
Purification Ceremonies and Jichinsai for Cleansing a New Home
When the omikuji result causes concern, receiving a purification ceremony at your new home is another effective option. For newly built homes, a jichinsai (ground-breaking ceremony) is standard practice, but even for pre-owned or rental properties, you can request a “yaharai” (house purification) from a local shrine. Costs vary, but the typical offering is in the range of 10,000 to 30,000 yen.
A purification ceremony is not merely a placebo — it also serves as a meaningful way to shift your mindset to “I am starting fresh in this new place.” (Just as you would review your lifestyle when a health checkup shows “needs attention,” using the omikuji result as an “opportunity to prepare” is how omikuji was originally meant to be used.)
Read the Relocation Section Together with Overall Fortune and the Poem
To make the most of the relocation section, do not simply judge it as “good or bad” in isolation. Read it together with your overall fortune and the waka poem.
Each section of an omikuji is not an independent reading but is connected to the overall fortune. Rather than reacting to the relocation section alone, first grasp the overall message from the poem, then view the relocation section — this approach reveals a more concrete guide for action. (In fact, the poem is the core of the omikuji, and the individual sections are supplementary.)
For example, if the poem speaks of “the coming of awaited spring” and the relocation section says “wait a while,” you can read a consistent message that “shifting the timing slightly will lead to a better outcome.” Conversely, if the poem is positive but the relocation section says “exercise caution,” it can be interpreted as “the direction is right, but prepare thoroughly.”
Since omikuji is generally considered effective “until you draw the next one,” if your deliberation about moving extends over a long period, drawing again a few months later and checking for changes in the relocation section is also a valid approach.
In Closing
The “Relocation (yautsuri)” section of omikuji is guidance from the gods regarding moves and changes of residence. Read “yoroshi” as encouragement to move forward and “ugokanu ga yoshi” as a signal for caution, while taking care not to be overly swayed by the result. The relocation section is applicable not just to physical moves but also to career changes, starting a business, and any situation where your living environment changes. Omikuji is not a prohibition but a guide for daily life — even when the result is unfavorable, remedies such as katatagae and purification ceremonies are available, and moving forward with thorough preparation is entirely appropriate. For the major life transition that is a move, consider adding the words of your omikuji as “one more perspective.”
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