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Yubikiri (指切り)

 

Yubikiri is a Japanese promise made by hooking the little fingers of two people together. Children often use it to show that they truly intend to keep their word.

 

The word literally means “finger-cutting,” which sounds severe in English. It comes from an old rhyme that says anyone who breaks the promise will have their finger cut off and swallow a thousand needles. Today, people usually say the rhyme playfully, and no one expects it to be taken literally.

 

Yubikiri is a small gesture, but it gives a promise a special feeling: I mean what I say, and I will keep my word.

 

I sometimes wish adults could make promises this way, too. Or can we? Maybe we can. A promise does not have to be reserved for children. Even as adults, we can hook our little fingers together and remind each other that our word matters.