North east corners are unlucky in Japan, and called the "devils' gate."  My cat exits through a small space between a cinder block fence and a chain link fence; he thus gains entrance  into a quiet cul de sac.  But my stack of boxes was repeatedly removed by my landlords.  Finally, they explained that this was the KIMON, and nothing could block the 30 centimeter square corner.  Thus, the suspended plank leads over the "sacred spot" to the hole between the fences.