Understanding “Arasoigoto” and “Shobu” on Your Omikuji: How to Read Conflict and Competition Fortunes

After drawing your omikuji, have you ever paused at the “arasoigoto” (disputes) section? Short phrases like “you shall prevail,” “hold back,” and “do not make a fuss” appear, but many people skip over them without understanding what they refer to. In fact, arasoigoto is one of the most practically relevant sections of an omikuji, covering everything from interpersonal conflicts and workplace competition to even legal disputes. This article provides an accurate explanation of the arasoigoto and shobu (competition) sections and shows how to apply them in everyday life.

Arasoigoto Refers to “All Matters Where You Contend with Others”

Arasoigoto is the section of an omikuji that indicates your fortune regarding conflicts and competition with others. Specifically, it covers arguments, verbal disputes, neighborhood troubles, workplace relationships, lawsuits, sports outcomes, business competitions, and exam rivalries—any situation where you “contend or compete with someone.”

While omikuji sections like “awaited person,” “lost items,” “business,” and “marriage prospects” correspond to various life situations, arasoigoto focuses on interpersonal troubles and competition—the scenarios most likely to cause stress in daily life. That alone makes the messages in this section worth paying close attention to.

Common Phrases in Arasoigoto and Their True Meanings

The arasoigoto section contains short phrases in classical Japanese style. Here are the most common expressions with their meanings.

Phrase	Meaning	Practical Guidance
Katsu-beshi (You shall prevail)	There is a good chance of winning	Proceed with confidence
Kachi-nari (Victory is yours)	Fortune favors your victory	A good time to act proactively
Maku-beshi (You may lose)	The situation is likely unfavorable	Avoid conflict and consider making concessions
Hikaero / Hikaeru-ga-yoshi (Hold back)	Better not to engage now	Do not rush the contest; wait for better timing
Hikaeru-ga-ri (Holding back is advantageous)	Restraint will work in your favor	Stepping back will ultimately benefit you
Sawagu-na (Do not make a fuss)	Stay calm and composed	Handle the situation without getting emotional
Hito-ni-makaseyo (Leave it to others)	Do not fight this yourself; entrust it to someone else	Seek help from an expert or mediator
Kachi-gatashi (Difficult to win)	Winning is unlikely	Prioritize peaceful resolution over winning
Wa-suru-ga-yoshi (Harmony is best)	Reconciliation and cooperation are the best path	Stop opposing and take a conciliatory approach
Toki-wo-mate (Wait for the right time)	Now is not the time to act	Observe the situation until circumstances change
Arasou-bekarazu (You must not quarrel)	Quarreling is forbidden	Avoid confrontation regardless of the reason

Notably, omikuji almost never urge you to “fight” or “attack.” Instead, expressions promoting calmness like “hold back” and “do not make a fuss” overwhelmingly dominate. This is because omikuji are fundamentally meant to provide behavioral guidelines rather than predict outcomes. (The Association of Shinto Shrines also states that “omikuji should not be drawn merely for fortune-telling purposes, but the content should be valued as a guideline for future conduct.” Source: Jinja Honcho)

“Hikaeru-ga-ri” (holding back is advantageous) and “hikaero” (hold back) may seem similar, but the former includes the perspective of gain (“restraint will benefit you”), while the latter addresses timing (“now is not the time to act”). “Wa-suru-ga-yoshi” transcends the win-lose framework entirely to recommend cooperation, making it particularly effective for family or neighborhood disputes.

“Shobu” and “Arasoigoto” Differ in Perspective

Some omikuji use “shobu” (competition) or “shobu-goto” (matters of competition) instead of “arasoigoto.” While the content overlaps, the nuance differs.

Section Name	Primary Scope	Nuance
Arasoigoto (Disputes)	Arguments, lawsuits, general troubles	How to resolve conflicts and confrontations
Shobu (Competition)	Matches, competitions, exams	How competitive outcomes will play out

While arasoigoto conveys “how to handle trouble,” shobu focuses on “competitive results.” Depending on whether your current concern involves a “conflict with someone” or a “fair competition,” the section you should focus on changes. If your omikuji includes both, reading them together provides a more three-dimensional message.

No Need to Despair Even When Arasoigoto Results Are Unfavorable

When arasoigoto says “maku-beshi” (you may lose) or “kachi-gatashi” (difficult to win), many feel anxious. However, the arasoigoto section is not a declaration that “you will lose” but rather advice saying “at this rate things are unfavorable, so change your approach.”

For example, when arasoigoto says “maku-beshi,” think of it like a weather forecast saying “rain this afternoon.” No one despairs at a rain forecast—they simply bring an umbrella. Arasoigoto works the same way: if you read the message as “since this is an unfavorable period, avoid direct confrontation and consider alternative approaches,” it directly leads to concrete action.

Practical ways to apply unfavorable arasoigoto results:

• “Maku-beshi” → Instead of insisting on winning, explore compromise and reconciliation
• “Hikaero” → Hold off for now and observe the other party’s moves
• “Sawagu-na” → Exercise restraint with social media posts or emotional emails
• “Hito-ni-makaseyo” → Consult a lawyer, supervisor, or other third party

(Rather than “doing nothing because the omikuji said I’d lose,” the correct approach is “being extra careful precisely because it’s an unfavorable period.”)

Cautions When Interpreting Legal Matters Through Arasoigoto

Originally, arasoigoto does cover legal disputes including lawsuits. In the Edo period, it was not uncommon for people to consult omikuji about the outcome of litigation, and the arasoigoto section was born from such contexts.

However, in modern times, relying solely on arasoigoto for legal decisions is inappropriate. Omikuji provide “mental preparation,” not substitutes for legal judgment. Realistic ways to apply arasoigoto to legal matters include:

• “Hikaero” / “Toki-wo-mate” → Rather than filing a lawsuit emotionally, first calmly organize the situation
• “Hito-ni-makaseyo” → Entrust negotiations to a lawyer or judicial scrivener rather than handling them yourself
• “Wa-suru-ga-yoshi” → Consider mediation or settlement instead of going to court
• “Katsu-beshi” → If you are well-prepared, proceed through proper legal channels

The key point is to never use omikuji results as the basis for legal decisions. “Dropping a lawsuit because the arasoigoto said I’d lose” puts the cart before the horse. Use it instead as an opportunity to reflect: “Am I being calm?” “Am I acting out of emotion?” (Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu) provides free legal consultations, and consulting a professional is the first step for legal troubles. Source: Houterasu)

Three Perspectives for Reading Your Conflict Fortune

Reading arasoigoto in isolation provides only fragmentary information. To more accurately assess your conflict fortune from the omikuji, combining multiple sections is effective.

Read Arasoigoto Together with Other Sections

Checking related sections alongside arasoigoto reveals the full picture of potential conflicts.

Combination	How to Interpret
Arasoigoto + Business	Guidance for business competition or complaint handling
Arasoigoto + Marriage prospects	Hints at interpersonal trouble in romance or marriage
Arasoigoto + Travel	Warning about travel-related troubles (theft, arguments, etc.)
Arasoigoto + Illness	Alert about health issues caused by stress

For example, if arasoigoto says “hold back” and business says “profits ahead, but proceed carefully,” you might read it as: “In business negotiations, don’t push hard; listen to the other party’s requests too, and you’ll ultimately achieve better results.” If arasoigoto says “harmony is best” and marriage prospects say “don’t rush,” it suggests that disagreements with your partner are best resolved slowly over time rather than forced to immediate conclusion. Cross-referencing sections this way makes “where” and “how” to be careful much more specific.

Compare the Overall Fortune Rank with Arasoigoto

The overall fortune rank and arasoigoto content do not always align. Even a daikichi may include “hold back” in arasoigoto, and even a kyo may have “you shall prevail” in the disputes section.

This means that even when overall fortune is good, there may be periods requiring caution with conflicts. Conversely, even during overall downturns, you may have advantages in interpersonal situations. Rather than relaxing or despairing based solely on the rank, reading the content of each section carefully significantly improves the omikuji’s practical value.

The Waka Poem Also Contains Conflict Clues

The waka poem (or Chinese poem) included in the omikuji is arguably the “main body” of the fortune. Even when the arasoigoto section ends with a single brief phrase, the waka poem may contain expressions hinting at how to handle conflicts.

For example, a waka like “flowers scattered by the wind shall in time bear fruit” can be read as “though things are scattered now (trouble is occurring), they will eventually bear fruit (move toward resolution).” While waka poems may seem abstract and difficult to interpret, when you relate them to your own situation, they become valuable messages that complement the arasoigoto section.

Tips for Reading Competition Fortune in Sports and Exams

The arasoigoto and shobu sections can also be applied to sports matches, entrance exams, and job interviews. However, since arasoigoto originally emphasizes “interpersonal trouble,” reading it as pure competition fortune requires some adjustment.

Applying to Sports Matches

When arasoigoto says “kachi-nari” (victory is yours), it is a sign of good condition, but it does not mean “you can win without effort.” What the omikuji indicates is “this is a period when you can perform at your best”—the importance of practice and preparation remains unchanged.

On the other hand, when it says “hikaero” or “kachi-gatashi,” it is a sign to avoid forcing things. In sports terms, rather than pushing through play while risking injury, it would be better to focus on conditioning—a reading that leads to better outcomes.

Applying to Entrance Exams and Job Interviews

Entrance exams and job interviews are closer to “shobu” (competition) than “arasoigoto” (disputes). “Katsu-beshi” suggests a period when you can demonstrate your abilities well; “kachi-gatashi” signals that you should review your preparation. While omikuji do not determine pass or fail results, they serve as an excellent mechanism for reflecting on “what am I lacking right now?”

(Some may feel disheartened when “maku-beshi” appears before an exam, but this is a recognition of current preparedness, not a denial of ability. Using it as motivation to think “there is still more I can do” is the correct way to use the omikuji.)

How to Apply Arasoigoto Messages to Everyday Conflicts

It would be a waste to simply “read and forget” the arasoigoto content. The omikuji’s true value is realized when you apply it to specific real-life situations and translate it into action.

Applying to Workplace Relationships

On days when arasoigoto says “sawagu-na” or “hikaero,” consider delaying rebuttals in meetings or direct appeals to superiors by one day. Giving yourself time to cool down, you may find by the next day that “I’m glad I didn’t say that yesterday.” Conversely, when “katsu-beshi” appears, it could be the right time to bring up a proposal or negotiation you have been putting off.

Easing Conflicts with Family or Partners

Arasoigoto applies not only to lawsuits but also to household arguments. When it says “hito-ni-makaseyo,” having a mutual friend or relative mediate rather than confronting directly may lead to a more harmonious resolution. Arasoigoto messages are most effective for trivial quarrels precisely because the guidance to “step back” has the most power in situations where emotions tend to run high.

Specific Actions When “Arasoigoto Is Unfavorable”

When arasoigoto shows cautious content like “maku-beshi,” “hikaero,” or “arasou-bekarazu,” simply thinking “I’ll be careful” in vague terms does not fully utilize it in daily life. Here are concrete actions to take:

• Let emails and LINE messages sit overnight before sending. Emotional wording can be rewritten calmly the next morning
• Refrain from argumentative or critical social media posts. Online disputes spiral out of control once ignited
• Do not initiate topics likely to spark arguments (money, values, past events)
• When someone’s words anger you, do not respond on the spot—say “let me think about it” and take it home
• In crowded places, be more consciously polite than usual to avoid creating sources of trouble
• Do not rush to sign contracts or important documents; have someone you trust review the contents
• At work, reduce situations where you insist “I am right” and instead listen to the other person’s opinion fully first

None of these are extraordinary—they are things you should practice every day. However, on days when the omikuji says “arasoigoto is unfavorable,” there is value in implementing these more consciously than usual. The arasoigoto message is not “stop” but “proceed carefully”—when you think of it this way, your daily conduct naturally changes.

Not All Omikuji Include Arasoigoto

Not every omikuji contains an arasoigoto section. The sections included vary by shrine and temple, and some omikuji omit arasoigoto entirely.

The “Ganzan Daishi Hyakusen,” considered the prototype of omikuji, does include content equivalent to arasoigoto. However, since modern omikuji are individually customized by each shrine, the presence or absence of sections varies. The omikuji produced by Joseidosha (which manufactures approximately 70% of the omikuji used at shrines nationwide, based in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture) do include the arasoigoto section, but shrines that create their own original omikuji may omit it.

When the arasoigoto section is absent, you will need to read messages about interpersonal relationships and competition from the waka poem or overall fortune text. (For omikuji without fortune rankings at all, like Meiji Jingu’s “Omigokoro,” you would derive guidance about disputes from the content of the waka poem.)

In Closing

The “arasoigoto” section of omikuji covers fortunes related to interactions with others, from interpersonal troubles and competition to legal disputes. Short phrases like “katsu-beshi,” “hikaero,” “sawagu-na,” and “wa-suru-ga-yoshi” contain messages promoting calm action. Even when the arasoigoto result is unfavorable, it is advice to “change your approach,” not cause for despair. By reading arasoigoto in combination with other sections and the waka poem, omikuji functions as a more practical daily action guideline.

Omikuji Sando offers a free daily fortune based on your date of birth, with authentic 12-level readings. Check your fortune today and prepare your mindset for any disputes or competitions ahead.