After drawing an omikuji, have you ever looked at the “Desires” section and wondered, “What wish is this referring to?” or “It says my wish will come true, but can I really take that at face value?” The bottom line: “Desires” is advice from the gods and Buddha regarding whatever wish you currently hold in your heart. This article covers everything from the original meaning of the desires section, to how to read classical expressions, how to combine it with other sections, and practical ways to turn the guidance into action that helps your wishes come true.
御要旨
- “Desires” Shows Whether Your Wish Is Likely to Come True
- Romance, Work, Health — The Desires Section Covers a Wide Range of Wishes
- “Will Be Fulfilled,” “Hard to Achieve,” “As You Wish” — How to Read Each Expression
- How to Read Classical Desires Section Expressions
- Why You Should Not Feel Discouraged by “Hard to Achieve” or “Slim Hope”
- How to Read Desires in Combination with Other Sections
- Practical Steps to Apply the Desires Section in Daily Life
- In Closing
“Desires” Shows Whether Your Wish Is Likely to Come True
The “Desires” section on omikuji (sometimes written as “Negaigoto” or “Ganji”) indicates the outlook for whatever wish the person drawing the omikuji currently holds. Whether it is romantic fulfillment, passing an exam, business success, or recovery from illness, regardless of the content, it tells you “whether your wish is in a favorable position to be granted, or whether now is a time to wait.”
The Association of Shinto Shrines (Jinja Honcho) explains that omikuji provides “guidance relating to all aspects of daily life, including finances, romance, lost items, travel, awaited persons, and health” (Source: Jinja Honcho). “Desires” is a core section within this broader life guidance. When other individual sections (Awaited Person, Marriage Prospects, Business, etc.) do not cover your particular wish, the Desires section serves as a direct answer to you.
Think of it as a weather forecast analogy: if the individual sections are “temperature,” “chance of rain,” and “wind speed,” then Desires is the equivalent of “is today a good day for an outing?” — an overarching indication.
Romance, Work, Health — The Desires Section Covers a Wide Range of Wishes
“The desires section says my wish will be fulfilled, but which wish?” is a common question. The “Desires” section on omikuji is not limited to any specific category — it is a message for whatever you were most strongly wishing for at the moment you drew the omikuji.
Examples of Wishes the Desires Section Can Address
| Category | Example Wishes |
|---|---|
| Romance | Requited love, reconciliation, a good encounter, marriage |
| Work | Promotion, successful job change, business success, workplace relationship improvement |
| Education | Passing exams, earning certifications, research results |
| Health | Recovery from illness, improved stamina, family health |
| Finances | Income increase, debt repayment, savings goals |
| Family | Family harmony, fertility, successful relocation |
If you were thinking “I hope my work goes well” just before drawing, then the Desires section is naturally a response about work. If you have multiple wishes and are unsure, receive the message as being about “the theme that feels most urgent to you right now.” (Deciding on “what you want to know” before drawing makes the result easier to interpret.)
“Will Be Fulfilled,” “Hard to Achieve,” “As You Wish” — How to Read Each Expression
The Desires section uses far more than just “granted” or “not granted.” Each expression carries its own nuance, and understanding them correctly can significantly change how you apply the omikuji.
Main Expressions and Their Meanings
| Omikuji Expression | Meaning | Key Point for Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Kanau (Will be fulfilled) | There is a promising outlook for your wish. | Continued effort is the prerequisite — do not become complacent. |
| Kokoro no mama ni naru (Things will go as your heart desires) | Results are likely to match your wishes. | A period when your will and actions hold the key. |
| Kanaigatashi (Hard to achieve) | Realization is difficult in the current state. | A sign to reconsider your approach or direction. |
| Nozomi usushi (Slim hope) | The situation is currently unfavorable for fulfillment. | Better to wait rather than push forward. |
| Osoi ga kanau (Slow but will be fulfilled) | It will take time, but ultimately succeed. | Patience and steady effort are essential. |
| Hito no tasuke nite kanau (Fulfilled through others’ help) | Your wish will be granted with the support of those around you. | Asking for help is the shortest path. |
| Shinjin sureba kanau (Fulfilled through sincere faith) | A sincere attitude will bring fulfillment. | A genuine, earnest approach is required. |
| Omowanu kata yori kanau (Fulfilled from an unexpected direction) | Your wish will come true through an unexpected route. | Keep an open mind and do not miss surprising opportunities. |
| Sawari ari kanaigatashi (Obstacles make fulfillment difficult) | Obstacles stand in the way and realization is hard. | Identify the source of the obstacle and work to remove it. |
What is notable is that nearly all “fulfilled” expressions come with conditions. None of them simply say “it will come true without you doing anything.” The Desires section’s message is not a “prediction” but “advice” — it is a guide for action that says “if you approach it this way, fulfillment becomes more likely.”
How to Read Classical Desires Section Expressions
At historic shrines and temples, the Desires section may be written in classical literary language. About 70% of omikuji distributed at shrines nationwide are produced by Joshidosha in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, and classical expressions are common in their omikuji. The interpretation is the same once translated to modern language, so use the reference table below.
| Classical Expression | Modern Translation | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| Ganbou kanaubeshi | Your wish will likely be fulfilled. | A positive outlook. |
| Omou mama narubeshi | Things will likely go as you wish. | A period when your will can prevail. |
| Kanaigatashi | Hard to achieve. | Current methods may not be enough. |
| Nozomi usushi | Slim hope. | Better to reassess timing. |
| Osokeredo mo kanau | Slow but will be fulfilled. | Patience will be rewarded. |
| Hito no tasuke nite kanau | Fulfilled through others’ help. | Relying on others is important. |
| Shinjin sureba kanau | Fulfilled through sincere faith. | Sincerity and earnestness are prerequisites. |
| Kokoro tadashiku sureba kanau | Fulfilled if you keep your heart right. | Attitude and conduct need reviewing. |
| Sawari arite kanaigatashi | Obstacles make fulfillment difficult. | Removing the obstacle comes first. |
| Omowanu kata yori kanau | Fulfilled from an unexpected direction. | Let go of fixed assumptions for the best outcome. |
| Yorozu daikichi nari | Everything is extremely auspicious. | A period when all things proceed smoothly. |
Do not skip over an expression just because you cannot read the classical language — that would be a missed opportunity. Classical omikuji can actually convey a greater sense of weight and depth. (The classical “kanaubeshi” with its “-beshi” ending carries a sense of “it is natural that this will happen” — a stronger force than the modern “kanau,” and for some people, it resonates more deeply.)
Why You Should Not Feel Discouraged by “Hard to Achieve” or “Slim Hope”
It is only natural for your spirits to sink when the Desires section says “kanaigatashi” or “nozomi usushi.” However, omikuji messages are not pronouncements of fate — they are conditional advice that begins with “if your current state continues.”
Omikuji fortune is generally considered valid from the day you draw it until your next draw — it is not a permanent conclusion. “Kanaigatashi” means “difficult given your current approach and timing” — it does not say “it will never come true.” Think of it like a health checkup: a “needs attention” result does not mean your life is over — it is a prompt to change your habits.
How to Turn “Hard to Achieve” into Positive Action
- Ask yourself whether this wish is truly what you need right now.
- Try a different approach (instead of repeating the same method, tackle it from a new angle).
- Reconsider the timing (accept that now is a preparation period and focus on building your strength).
- Reverse-engineer the conditions for fulfillment (if it says “fulfilled through others’ help,” seek advice; if it says “fulfilled through sincere faith,” reassess your sincerity).
The Desires section does not coldly reject you with “it is impossible.” Rather, it implicitly hints at “what you could change to improve your chances.” Viewing “hard to achieve” as containing an underlying question — “so what should I change?” — is the constructive approach.
How to Read Desires in Combination with Other Sections
Omikuji should not be read by fixating on the “Desires” section alone. Reading it in combination with overall fortune, Awaited Person, Marriage Prospects, Business, Studies, and other sections enables a more precise interpretation.
Combining with Overall Fortune
When overall fortune is dai-kichi or kichi and Desires also says “will be fulfilled,” you are in a period of broadly favorable momentum. Conversely, even when overall fortune is bad, if Desires says “will be fulfilled,” it means “despite challenging circumstances, the area of your wish shows positive signs.” Simply checking whether overall fortune and Desires point in the same direction dramatically improves the accuracy of your interpretation.
Combining with Individual Sections
| Your Wish | Section to Cross-reference | How to Read the Combination |
|---|---|---|
| Wishing for romantic fulfillment | Marriage Prospects / Awaited Person | If Desires says “will be fulfilled” + Awaited Person says “coming,” a good romantic encounter is highly likely. |
| Wishing for career success | Business / Studies | If Desires says “slow but will be fulfilled” + Business says “profit,” results will come, though they take time. |
| Wishing for health recovery | Illness | If Desires says “fulfilled through sincere faith” + Illness says “will linger,” patience and proper care are needed. |
| Wishing for exam success | Studies | If Desires says “will be fulfilled” + Studies says “effort leads to success,” continued study is the condition. |
| Wishing for a successful move | Travel / Direction | If Desires says “will be fulfilled” + Travel says “auspicious,” it is a good time for decisions involving movement. |
The sections of an omikuji are not independent readings — they compose one unified message. After reading the Desires section, consciously check the other sections related to your wish. This way, the full picture of what the omikuji is trying to tell you comes into view. (Think of the omikuji not as “a collection of sections” but as “one letter” and it makes much more sense.)
Practical Steps to Apply the Desires Section in Daily Life
Rather than letting the Desires result end with a casual “hmm,” here are specific ways to connect it to real action. Omikuji is like writing in a diary — it works best as a tool for facing yourself each day.
Clarify Your Wish Before Drawing
The most effective way to sharpen the usefulness of your omikuji is to be clear about “what you want to know” before drawing. Drawing with a vague mind produces results that are harder to interpret. If you focus on a specific question — “How will my current work situation turn out?” or “Will things progress with that person?” — the result becomes much easier to apply.
This is not an occult technique but a thought-clarification exercise. When you are in a state of “I do not even know what I am wishing for,” no answer will be useful. The act of drawing the omikuji itself becomes an opportunity to put your wish into words.
Record Your Results and Build a Review Habit
Logging Desires results over a week or a month can reveal intriguing patterns. “Last month it kept saying ‘hard to achieve,’ but after I changed my approach it shifted to ‘will be fulfilled.’” “The week it said ‘fulfilled through others’ help,’ someone actually did help me.” Insights like these can emerge.
This is not about omikuji having a high hit rate — it is about building the habit of reflecting on your actions and results. When you use omikuji as a “self-observation tool,” it becomes an experience a step above simple fortune-testing.
Use Negative Results as Opportunities to Change
When “hard to achieve” or “slim hope” appears and you end up feeling deflated, you are only receiving half of the omikuji’s message. Negative results are the perfect opportunity to ask yourself, “So what should I change?”
- Reassess the priority of your wishes (is this truly the most important thing right now?).
- Check the direction of your effort (is the volume there but the direction wrong?).
- Consider relying on others (are you shouldering everything alone?).
- Have the courage to change your timing (sometimes the best choice is to not act now).
Becoming complacent after drawing dai-kichi is like assuming “I will pass even without studying” before a test. The value of omikuji, whether the result is good or bad, lies in prompting you to think: “What is my next step?”
In Closing
The “Desires” section of omikuji is advice from the gods and Buddha regarding whatever wish you currently hold. If it says “will be fulfilled,” continue your efforts. If it says “hard to achieve,” reassess your approach. Either way, receiving both results as “a message you need right now” is what makes omikuji a living guide for daily action.
Beyond the Desires section alone, reading it alongside overall fortune, Awaited Person, Marriage Prospects, Business, and other sections reveals the full picture of what the omikuji wants to convey. Clarify your wish before drawing. Record results and review them regularly. This accumulation transforms omikuji from “a simple fortune game” into “a daily dialogue with yourself.”
“Omikuji Sando” delivers your personal fortune based on your date of birth — a free daily omikuji app. Including the Desires section, the full-scale fortune reading is always available from your smartphone.
