The unluckiness of the number four is one such example, as the Japanese word for "four" 四 romaji: shi is a homophone for "death" kanji: 死.
However, unlike most other countries, in Japan, a black cat crossing one's path is considered to bring good luck.
Numbers and objects that have names that are homophones (Dōongo / Dōon Igigo (同音語 / 同音異義語), lit.
Another significant part of Japanese superstition has its roots in Japan's ancient pagan, animist culture and regards certain natural things as having kami.
The number 13 is occasionally thought of as unlucky, although this superstition is a recent import from Western culture.