Japanese fortune telling

methods

• There are three kinds of fortune-telling. 
• Meisen is horoscopes, or reading based off of time.
• Bokusen uses objects like crystals or tarot cards.
• Sousen uses visual things like dreams or palm reading.

methods

• Instead of Western horoscopes, the Chinese zodiac is used.
• There are twelve animals, one for each month.
• Fortunes are told from date of birth, time, and the year it is.
• Blood type is used for compatibility readings. It was introduced in 1970.
• In food fortune-telling, the client picks five dishes from twelve.

omikuji

• Omikuji, sacred lots you can buy at Shinto shrines, are traditional.
• It's like the lottery. You pay and pick one.
• There are several levels of luck, from blessing to curse.
• If the fortune is bad, it is hung up so that the wind will blow it away.
• The papers are hung on trees or structures. 

history

• In the 10th century, ommyodo was introduced.
• It's similar to Chinese horoscopes.
• It spread mainly due to Abe no Seimei.
• He was the most famous onmyoji. 
• He gave advice to many emperors and famous figures.

Present

• In Japan, fortune-telling is a viable career option 
• The average price for a reading is about $50.
• There are classes on fortune-telling in some schools.
• Famous psychics charge upwards of $300.
• It's a popular thing. There are booths on the street.  

Present

• Fortune-telling is mainly popular among young women.
• Because counseling isn't very big in Japan, it's also used for advice.
• There are daily fortunes on TV and in newspapers.

future

• Currently there are hundreds of people subscribing to online services.
• The amount is only going up. 
• In Japan, fortune telling is a multi-million dollar industry. 
• Its popularity is still growing, as is how it's represented in the media.
• Recently some fortune-telling TV shows have been popular. 

SOURCES

• http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2009/04/21/reference/the-past-present-and-...
• http://www.hiraganatimes.com/past-articles/society/1331/
• http://factsanddetails.com/japan/cat16/sub183/item593.html
• http://globaldiscussion.net/topic/1503-fortune-telling-in-japan/
• http://zoomingjapan.com/wiki/omikuji-fortune-telling-paper-strips/