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Dorcas_Aurelia
Joined: 23 Jul 2006
Posts: 5344
Location: Philly
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 Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 1:45 pm |
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I've seen this come up in a few anime, and I've been wondering if there was something I'm missing out on. More though then seeing a character sleeping sprawled out and uncovered (without a blanket and shirt riding up their chest), I didn't really pay any heed until I noticed characters pointing out other characters that do this (I think Al says something to Ed about it in an episode of FMA). Is there some sort of old wives' tale related to this?
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Furudanuki
Joined: 29 Jul 2006
Posts: 1874
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| Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:53 pm |
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In traditional Japanese medicine and folklore the belly is considered to be the seat of the spirit and center for the body's health. Keeping the belly warm is thought to be very important so going around, or especially sleeping, with the belly uncovered would be considered careless and/or unhealthy. You'll sometimes see a character in anime - especially in a traditional setting - wearing a haramaki (a band of cloth that is wrapped around the belly) for just that reason.
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_Earthwyrm_
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| Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 2:57 pm |
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| Furudanuki wrote: | | You'll sometimes see a character in anime - especially in a traditional setting - wearing a haramaki (a band of cloth that is wrapped around the belly) for just that reason. |
So that's why.
That was interesting, thanks Furudanuki. 
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jetz
Joined: 31 Jan 2007
Posts: 2148
Location: Manila, Philippines
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| Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:26 am |
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| Furudanuki wrote: | | In traditional Japanese medicine and folklore the belly is considered to be the seat of the spirit and center for the body's health. Keeping the belly warm is thought to be very important so going around, or especially sleeping, with the belly uncovered would be considered careless and/or unhealthy. You'll sometimes see a character in anime - especially in a traditional setting - wearing a haramaki (a band of cloth that is wrapped around the belly) for just that reason. |
I think there's also a significance if a girl sleeps with her stomach uncovered, I just can't remember what it is exactly. Something like an evil spirit/demon getting attracted to a girl who sleeps with her belly exposed.
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kornpone
Joined: 05 Nov 2008
Posts: 55
Location: West of the Yodo River
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| Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:59 am |
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The oft-repeated old wives' tale that is meant to keep kids from catching colds while sleeping, is that an exposed navel will be stolen by lightening (ie Raijin, the thunder god), turning the unsuspecting sleeper into a frog --an animal that has no navel.
--Might sound a bit far-fetched, but it's a very effective way to keep kids from catching chills. ("Mommy, I don't want to turn into a frog!")
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Furudanuki
Joined: 29 Jul 2006
Posts: 1874
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| Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 1:30 am |
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| jetz wrote: | | I think there's also a significance if a girl sleeps with her stomach uncovered, I just can't remember what it is exactly. Something like an evil spirit/demon getting attracted to a girl who sleeps with her belly exposed. |
I think I remember reading a folktale that stated something along the lines of if a pregnant woman leaves her belly uncovered while sleeping a spirit could possess the unborn child. Not sure about that one, though.
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jetz
Joined: 31 Jan 2007
Posts: 2148
Location: Manila, Philippines
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| Posted: Sat Nov 29, 2008 4:40 am |
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| Furudanuki wrote: | | jetz wrote: | | I think there's also a significance if a girl sleeps with her stomach uncovered, I just can't remember what it is exactly. Something like an evil spirit/demon getting attracted to a girl who sleeps with her belly exposed. |
I think I remember reading a folktale that stated something along the lines of if a pregnant woman leaves her belly uncovered while sleeping a spirit could possess the unborn child. Not sure about that one, though. |
I remember reading something like that too. I wish I could remember what anime I was watching at the time when I found out about the superstition I mentioned previously - All I remember was there were two teenage girls, the other was sleeping and the other woke her up, saying something like "shame on you for sleeping with your stomach exposed", then a TL note appeared explaining the said superstition 
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