List of Japanese Gestures
Finger Names
- Thumb - Parent finger (Oya-yubi 親指)
- Index finger - People pointing finger (Hitosashi-yubi 人差し指)
- Middle finger - Middle finger (Naka-yubi/Chuushi 中指)
- Ring finger - Medicine finger, supposedly finger used to mix/apply medicine. Another theory is this is a reference to the medicine Buddha's bent fourth finger. (Kusurui-yubi 薬指)
- Pinky finger - Little finger (Koyubi 小指)
Alternative names:
- Middle finger - Tallest, tallest finger (Takataka-yubi 高高指)
- Ring finger - Ring finger (Kanshi 環指)
- Ring finger - Red applying finger, supposedly the finger used to apply lipstick (Benisashi-yubi 紅差し指)
- Ring finger - The nameless finger (無名指)
Pointing
When referring to themselves, Japanese point at their noses instead of their chests.
Beckoning to people
Done with the palm down and a waving motion. The maneki-neko statue represents this. Is rude when done to superiors, though.
Beckoning to dogs
Beckoning with the palm up is used to summon dogs. Thus, it is insulting to summon a person in this fashion.
Guts Pose
Used to symbolize victory, triumph.
Done by making a fist and then curling one's arm to show one's bicep.
Pinky Up
Used to represent a girlfriend/mistress
In Japanese culture, it's believed that lovers are connected by the red string of fate. Many anime openings show couples with red strings tying their pinkys' together. Miyoko mentions this in Kamen Rider the First.
Rock Paper Scissors
Or Janken Pon as it's known in Japan.
- Rock - Guu
- Scissors - Choki
- Paper - Paa
Thumbs Up
Used to show "it's alright" or "it's all good".
It's said this is the alternative version for the pinky. With the thumb representing One's boyfriend.
V Sign
Used to show cuteness in pictures
Usually used to indicate "Peace".
Related articles
More Japanese
Page of Japanese terms that appear in the shows