knock on wood; touch wood; heaven forbid
A superstitious phrase spoken to ward off misfortune, similar to 'knock on wood' or 'touch wood' in English. Often said when mentioning something unlucky or hoping to avoid bad luck.
「事故に遭ったことはないよ。くわばらくわばら。」
"I've never been in an accident. Knock on wood."
地震が来ませんように、くわばらくわばら。
Heaven forbid an earthquake strikes — knock on wood.
Tradition connects the charm with 桑原, an estate said to have escaped the lightning attributed to the vengeful spirit of Sugawara no Michizane. The precise origin remains uncertain.