Imagine this: a sacred space, a place of peace and prayer, defiled by an act perceived as deeply disrespectful. That’s exactly what happened at Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple, and the internet is ablaze with opinions. A Chinese man’s actions involving ‘hell money’ and a donation box have ignited a firestorm of controversy, raising questions about cultural sensitivity, tourist etiquette, and even international relations.
In a video that went viral, the man is seen placing joss paper, also known as “hell money,” into the money collection box used for drawing fortunes (omikuji) at the iconic Sensoji Temple. Now, for those unfamiliar, Sensoji Temple is one of Tokyo’s oldest and most popular temples. The omikuji tradition involves paying 100 yen (roughly US$1) to draw a numbered bamboo stick from a container. You then find the corresponding fortune paper – hopefully a positive one! The man in the video drew fortune number 68, which turned out to be “kichi,” meaning good luck.
But here’s where it gets controversial… Before inserting the ‘hell money,’ the man reportedly said, “Japanese fortune sticks do not bless the Chinese. We Chinese have our own fortune.” His friend, who appeared to be filming, added fuel to the fire by seemingly mocking the situation, calling the action “cheating the devils.” And this is the part most people miss: the word “devils,” when used in certain historical contexts linking China and Japan, is considered an extremely offensive term, a derogatory reference to Japanese soldiers during World War II. The original post has since disappeared, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly when the incident occurred and when the video was first shared, but the damage was already done.
The reaction online was swift and largely negative, even among Chinese internet users. Comments ranged from calling the man an “idiot, asking for blessing with hell money” to sarcastically suggesting he was “spending hell money in exchange for happiness in hell.” And this is the part most people miss: In Chinese tradition, “hell money” is burned as an offering to the deceased, intended to provide them with wealth in the afterlife. It’s considered severely bad luck to keep it at home, let alone use it to seek personal good fortune. Using it in a temple to draw a fortune is seen as incredibly disrespectful.
One particularly strong sentiment expressed online was that the man was essentially stealing a fortune by not using the correct payment and should be punished. Others lamented that such behavior reinforces negative stereotypes about Chinese tourists. It’s a fair point, as incidents like these can unfortunately create a broad brushstroke, painting an entire group of people with the same negative image.
Adding fuel to the fire, this incident occurred against a backdrop of rising tensions between China and Japan, particularly following comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan. China has even urged its citizens to reconsider traveling to Japan, and Chinese airlines have reported a massive wave of cancellations on flights to Japan. Japan, in turn, has cautioned its citizens in China to be vigilant about their safety. It’s a complex geopolitical situation, and this seemingly isolated incident has become entangled within it.
So, what do you make of all this? Was this simply a case of ignorance and cultural misunderstanding? Or was it a deliberate act of disrespect, perhaps even politically motivated? Should the focus be on the individual’s actions, or is it fair to consider the broader context of international relations? And perhaps the most important question: What responsibility do tourists have to respect the customs and traditions of the places they visit, even if they don’t fully understand them? Share your thoughts in the comments below – I’m genuinely curious to hear your perspectives.