reikan

Reikan (霊感) is a Japanese term that describes a perceived sensitivity to supernatural entities or to information beyond ordinary perception; it is commonly translated as “sixth sense” or “psychic ability.” The kanji combine rei, meaning spirit or soul, and kan, meaning feeling or sense. In everyday language, reikan can refer to a vague sense that something is true or to intuitive insight, but it is more often associated with paranormal or spiritual contexts where a person believes they can sense spirits, perceive phenomena beyond ordinary sight, or foresee events.

In cultural contexts, reikan appears in Shinto-influenced folk beliefs and in popular media such as manga and folklore-inspired fiction, where characters claim psychic sensitivity or contact with spirits. It is not a scientifically validated phenomenon; claims are typically anecdotal and not reliably reproducible under controlled conditions. Some psychologists interpret experiences described as reikan through explanations rooted in intuition, heightened pattern recognition, or perceptual biases like pareidolia.

From the scholarly perspective, parapsychology has conducted studies related to clairvoyance or precognition, but no consensus has emerged confirming such abilities under rigorous testing. Contemporary discussion emphasizes careful terminology and the distinction between personal belief and repeatable evidence. Related terms include clairvoyance, clairaudience, intuition, parapsychology, Shinto, and Japanese folklore.