In Japan, people sometimes eat katsudon or tonkatsu before an important exam, match, or competition.
The reason is very simple.
“Katsu” sounds the same as the Japanese word for “to win.”
It is a straightforward piece of wordplay used as a good-luck ritual.
That also means katsudon itself is not essential. Tonkatsu or even a katsu sandwich can carry the same meaning. The important part is the word katsu.
So do Japanese people really believe that eating pork cutlet will make them win?
The answer is a little more complicated.
In an ordinary situation, someone might say, “I have a match tomorrow, so maybe I should eat katsu,” half as a joke.
But when the event is something much bigger, such as an important entrance exam after months or years of preparation, the feeling can become more serious.
The student may have spent a long time studying for that one day. Their family may also have adjusted daily life, supported them, and waited for the exam together.
At that point, you may simply want to do everything you possibly can.
Of course, people do not usually believe in a literal sense that eating katsudon will guarantee a passing score.
But if there is a food associated with good luck, why not eat it before such an important day?
That is the interesting part of the custom.
The wordplay may be half joking, but the wish to win is completely serious.
Katsu is not a magical food that determines the result. It is closer to a small ritual that helps the person — and sometimes the family around them — feel positive before a major challenge.
Of course, not everyone in Japan eats katsu before an exam or competition.
Skipping it is not considered bad luck, and some people may not want a heavy fried meal just before an important event.
Still, when a major challenge is approaching, even a very simple piece of wordplay can feel worth borrowing a little confidence from.
That mixture of playful wordplay and genuine hope is at the heart of Japan’s “katsu = win” good-luck tradition.
