Strange Japanese beliefs & urban myths

[basuotoko]

Thats not Japanese - they do that in Australia and the UK as well ;)

Yes! I was surprised when I heard about this recently. I've never been able to check it out myself, but I wonder how widespread it is. I don't really understand the whole thing in the first place.
First of all, I think the whole belief is that the cat will see itself reflected in the bottle and run away. Wouldn't a mirror work better?
Also, what's so bad about stray cats anyway? I've heard the downright bone chilling meows they make at night, but it doesn't matter if they're right in front of your house or a block away, you'll still hear it!

I've heard most of them except the one with the windows open.
Here are three more that I know. Some older Japanese people can be very superstitious, and I remember being warned about many things by the old ladies when I was growing up.

• You won't be able to be present at your parents' death if you clip your nails at night.
• Snakes will come out if you whistle at night.
• Stepping on the threshold is a bad luck.

I've heard something about nail clipping, too. But as I recall, my girlfriend said that clipping your nails at night will bring bad luck, possibly death. Similar to what you heard, but more direct.
Also, one of my friends told me not to sleep with my head pointed north because it might kill me. (A lot of small things cause death, it seems.)