The most famous Japanese proverb regarding taboo is also the most defining: Deru kugi wa utareru —"The nail that sticks out gets hammered down."
: Sleeping with your head pointed North is taboo, as this is the direction the deceased are positioned during funerals. taboo japanese style
The family unit, or ie , is sacred. The pressure to marry and produce an heir is not just a suggestion; it is a duty. To remain single past a certain age is to invite pitying glances and invasive questions. The "parasite single"—an adult living with parents—is a term loaded with judgment. The most famous Japanese proverb regarding taboo is