☆ What is Yoshuku (予祝)?
What if I told you there’s a tradition where people celebrate something before it even happens?
In Japan, there’s a beautiful custom called Yoshuku (予祝) — the act of celebrating future happiness or success as if it has already come true, believing that such positive energy helps make it a reality.
This tradition dates back to the Yayoi period (around 300 BCE), when people held spring festivals to celebrate and pray for a good harvest in autumn. It was a way of aligning human hopes with the rhythms of nature — a kind of spiritual wisdom born from agricultural life.
☆ Differences Between Yoshuku and Western Celebrations
Yoshuku is more than just a pre-celebration. It’s a practice based on belief—that if you celebrate your wish as if it’s already been fulfilled, you invite it to become reality.
In contrast, in Western cultures such as the U.S. or Europe, people typically celebrate after something has happened—like a birthday, a promotion, or an achievement. Celebrating in anticipation is much less common.
Another key difference lies in focus:
Western celebrations often center on the individual, while Yoshuku often involves families, communities, or groups, wishing for shared happiness and success.
☆ Yoshuku lives on today—during cherry blossom season
Many Japanese people may not realize it, but Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is actually a form of Yoshuku.
Today, people gather under blooming cherry trees to eat, drink, and enjoy the flowers. But originally, it was a way to celebrate as if the year’s harvest and happiness had already arrived—offering prayers and joyful energy to the future.
It’s a truly beautiful tradition, isn’t it?
☆ A timeless Japanese mindset for creating the future
Unlike Western cultures that often focus on logic and results, Yoshuku encourages us to believe in our hopes and welcome the future with gratitude and joy.
In today’s fast-paced world filled with worries and pressure, why not take a moment to appreciate the spirit of Yoshuku — and celebrate as if your dreams have already come true?
Your current mindset matters.
If your heart isn’t filled with excitement or joy now, it’s unlikely that future joy will come to you.
In other words:
“Heart × Action = Your Future.”
Yoshuku is a simple yet powerful cultural wisdom based on this idea.
Humans tend to act with more energy when they’re excited or filled with joy—not just when something is logically correct.
Another key element of Yoshuku is gratitude.
When we feel thankful, our brains release hormones that increase happiness, focus, and immunity.
These effects help reduce stress and allow us to perform at our best.
That’s why by practicing Yoshuku, people often experience small miracles — and find themselves living the very happiness they once imagined.
☆ Practicing Yoshuku in daily life
Every morning, I softly smile at myself in the mirror and say:
“Thank you for bringing such amazing and wonderful things into my day!”
Even before the day begins, I express gratitude as if wonderful things have already happened.
This simple habit fills me with positive energy and excitement for what’s to come.
That’s my own way of practicing Yoshuku.
How did Yoshuku sound to you? Maybe you thought, “That can’t really work.” But this simple tradition has long been a quiet part of daily life in Japan — a gentle form of prayer tied to hope and gratitude. Why not give it a try? Let each of your days slowly grow into something beautiful.
I’m a clay artist, and a master of Japanese calligraphy “Onore-sho”. I have my own shop in Ikaruga town, Nara, which is near Horyuji temple: world heritage site. And I’m a volunteer English tour guide. I enjoy learning English everyday.
HTJ has a YouTube page! Check it out