The Meaning of the Japanese Proverb "Ichi-Fuji, Ni-Taka, San-Nasubi" and Why They Are Considered Auspicious First Dreams

Sure, here is the translation:

"Ichi-Fuji, Ni-Taka, San-Nasubi": Why Are These Three Things the Best New Year's Dreams in Japan?

Hey everyone! When talking about Japanese culture, you might have heard the somewhat strange saying, "Ichi-Fuji, Ni-Taka, San-Nasubi" (One Fuji, Two Hawks, Three Eggplants). It might sound like just three random things, but in Japan, it's a famous ranking of good omens.

This proverb refers to Japan's first dream of the year (Hatsuyume). If these three things appear in your first dream of the New Year, they predict good luck for the entire year! The higher they are in the ranking, the luckier they are.

So, why specifically Mount Fuji, a hawk, and an eggplant? Let's look at them one by one.

1. Ichi-Fuji (One Fuji) - Mount Fuji

This one is the easiest to understand.

• Japan's Best: Mount Fuji is Japan's tallest, most famous, and most sacred mountain. Dreaming of it naturally symbolizes being "first," "the best," and "the peak."
• Wordplay: In Japanese, "Fuji" sounds very similar to "buji," meaning "safe and sound" or "without incident." It also resembles "fushi," meaning "immortality" or "longevity."
• Good Omen: Mount Fuji's shape widens steadily towards the base, which in Japan is called "suehirogari." This means "widening toward the end," symbolizing increasing prosperity and growth, a very auspicious sign.

So, dreaming of Mount Fuji equates to dreaming of safety, longevity, and great success—definitely the luckiest dream!

2. Ni-Taka (Two Hawks) - Hawk

The hawk is a majestic bird of prey, and its symbolism is quite direct.

• Soaring High: Hawks fly high in the sky, symbolizing lofty ambitions, upward mobility, and future success—a good omen for rising to prominence.
• Seizing Good Fortune: Hawks use their sharp talons to catch prey, which is interpreted as "seizing opportunities" or "catching good luck."
• Wordplay: The Japanese word for hawk, "taka," sounds exactly like the word "takai" meaning "high," symbolizing high status and grand goals.

Dreaming of a hawk represents seizing opportunities and achieving great ambitions.

3. San-Nasubi (Three Eggplants) - Eggplant

This is probably the most puzzling. A mountain and a bird are powerful; why suddenly a vegetable? Actually, the eggplant's significance relies entirely on wordplay.

• Key Wordplay: In Japanese, "nasu" (eggplant) sounds identical to the verb "nasu," meaning "to achieve," "to accomplish," or "to succeed." Dreaming of eggplants thus predicts that you will succeed in achieving your goals.
• Another Interesting Take: Eggplants also don't have hairs (ke). In Japanese, "ke ga nai" (hairless) sounds similar to "kega ga nai" (no injury), which implies health and freedom from harm—a bonus for peace and wellbeing.

So, don't underestimate this humble eggplant; it's a symbol of success and good fortune!

Why Specifically These Three Things Together?

The most widely held theory about the origin of this combination involves Japan's famous historical figure, Tokugawa Ieyasu.

After abdicating power, Tokugawa Ieyasu retired to his native region, Suruga Province (present-day Shizuoka Prefecture). "Mount Fuji," "Hawks," and "Eggplants" precisely represented the renowned specialties or features of Suruga Province:

1. Mount Fuji: The highest mountain within Suruga Province.
2. Hawks: Tokugawa Ieyasu himself was extremely fond of falconry (taka-gari).
3. Eggplants: The locally produced hatsu-nasu (the first eggplants harvested in the New Year) were extremely expensive luxuries at the time, symbolizing wealth.

Therefore, it's believed this proverb combines the three favorite things of Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate (the great unifier of Japan), to tap into his immense good fortune.

Little Bonus: There’s Actually a "Four, Five, Six"!

Fewer people know this ranking extends beyond the first three, with "Yon-Ōgi, Go-Tabako, Roku-Zatō" (Four Fans, Five Tobacco, Six Blind Masseurs).

• Four Fans (Yon-Ōgi): Like Mount Fuji, the shape of a fan tapers to the handle and widens out—also "suehirogari," symbolizing broad prosperity.
• Five Tobacco (Go-Tabako): Tobacco smoke rises upward, symbolizing upward mobility and rising fortunes.
• Six Blind Masseurs (Roku-Zatō): Back to wordplay! "Zatō" were traditionally shaven-headed blind masseurs. Being "hairless (ke ga nai)" was again thought to sound like "no injuries (kega ga nai)", symbolizing safety.

Pretty cool, right? Behind a simple proverb lies a fusion of linguistic puns, symbolic meanings of objects, and fascinating historical anecdotes.

Hope this explanation brings a smile the next time you see "Ichi-Fuji, Ni-Taka, San-Nasubi"!