凶 (villain, evil, bad luck, disaster)

米作は今年は凶作だ。

The rice crop is poor this year.

昨年さくねんは異常いじょうな冷夏れいかで、稲作いなさくは１０年ねんぶりの凶作きょうさくだった。

It was exceptionally cold last summer, and the rice crop was the worst in 10 years.

現在は祭りや誕生祝いなど吉事に赤飯を炊くが、古くは凶事に食べていた（→ハレとケ）。

Although sekihan rice is now prepared for fortunate events, in the old days it was eaten in unfortunate incidents (=>"Hare and Ke" (the dichotomy of sacred and profane)).