One of the books I received last Christmas is Yoshie Omata’s “Even Cats & Rice Ladles’. (Also one of the only books I have actually finished reading this year!) It contains pages of ‘wise and witty’ sayings from Japan, as well as beautiful art work throughout. As my Japanese idioms content seems quite popular it seemed appropriate to do my thing in Canva, and share some of them with you.
I tend to make my April/Spring post Japanese themed. Therefore, I thought this month I would select a few of my favourite sayings from the book. I even went to extra mile and designed myself an online ‘hanko’ to ‘stamp’ the pictures with. See if you can spot it in the bottom right corner.
If you want to get the full benefit of Nastia Sleptsova’s art though, you need to check out the book. Each idiom is accompanied with an interpretive art work that describes the saying. They would make great postcards, and I am actively keeping an eye on her Etsy shop for when it restocks.
As I love sharing the wisdom of sayings, I have now created a free downloadable E-Book. It contains many of the idioms I have used in previous posts. These are in picture form, and you can print them off to use . Maybe as pictures, posters, or to stick in your journals. See the end of the post for a link.
Other posts you may like
5 Japanese idioms to inspire you this spring
5 Japanese idioms for language learners
Japan in 18 photos – My 2023 trip
Making 1000 cranes
International Haiku day – Includes a shameless plug to my book!
Todai moto kurashi
“It is darkest at the foot of the lighthouse”
In life’s journey, we often find ourselves navigating through dark and challenging times,. Hope seems distant and the path ahead appears bleak. In these moments this saying can offer us solace. Particularly if you consider the English version : “the darkest hour is just before dawn.”
It is thought that the sky is at its darkest just before the sun rises. In a similar way, the base of the light house is the one spot that is not benefiting from the light being given out. It can remind us of dark times in our own lives that have seemed hopeless.
Yet, within this darkness lies the promise of guidance and illumination. Just as a lighthouse stands tall amidst stormy seas, casting its light to guide sailors to safety. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there exists a beacon of hope and direction. It speaks to the resilience within us, urging us to persevere and trust that clarity will emerge from obscurity.
Similarly, the English saying “the darkest hour is just before dawn” echoes this sentiment of perseverance and optimism. It speaks to the inevitability of brighter days ahead, even when we find ourselves engulfed in the depths of despair. Like the gradual lightening of the sky before sunrise, our darkest moments signal the imminent arrival of renewal and transformation. It is a reminder that adversity is not permanent. That within every challenge lies the seed of opportunity for growth and renewal; that no matter how dark the night may seem, the dawn of a new day is just beyond the horizon.
Komorebi
“Sunlight leaking through trees”
Technically not an idiom, “Komorebi,” is a Japanese word that delicately describes the interplay of sunlight filtering through leaves. The word encapsulates more than just a natural phenomenon; it embodies transient beauty and profound metaphorical depth.
It’s speaks of those ephemeral instances when sunlight pierces through the canopy, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow on the ground below. For an amazing example of this I want to recommend the Japanese film ‘Perfect Days’, where the lead often stops to take time to capture the light through the trees on his camera.
In these moments, Komorebi becomes a poignant symbol. It is a kind of visual reminder of hope breaking through darkness, or of change stirring within stillness.
What’s truly remarkable about Komorebi is how it seamlessly bridges the external world of nature’ with the internal landscape of our emotions and thoughts. It’s a gentle nudge to pause, appreciate the beauty around us, and perhaps find solace in the connection between the external and internal realms.
Ninin sankyaku
“Ninin sankyaku,” translates to “two people, three legs.” This phrase immediately brings to mind the image of a three-legged race, where two individuals are literally tied together at the leg, forced to synchronise their movements to progress.
It’s a whimsical yet profound metaphor for collaboration and teamwork. While being tethered to another person may initially seem like a hindrance, it ultimately underscores the importance of cooperation in achieving a common goal.
Just like in the three-legged race, where success hinges on coordination and communication between partners, so too does success in any collaborative endeavour rely on mutual understanding and shared effort.
“Ninin sankyaku” reminds us that while working with others may present challenges, it also multiplies our strength and resources. As the old adage goes, “many hands make light work,” emphasising the power of collective action in overcoming obstacles and accomplishing great things. So, let’s embrace the spirit of collaboration, recognising that together, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone.
Nogashita sakana wa ookii
Let’s ‘dive’ into the next Japanese idiom (see what I did there!).
“Nigashita sakana wa ookii,” is translated in the book as: “The fish that you lost seems greater than it is”. This phrase encapsulates a universal truth—that we tend to romanticise missed opportunities and view them through rose-coloured glasses.
How often do we find ourselves dwelling on what could have been, imagining that the grass was greener on the other side? It’s a fascinating quirk of human nature to inflate the value of things that slipped through our fingers, as if they were the ultimate prize we failed to grasp.
Perhaps it’s our innate desire for closure or our reluctance to accept that some opportunities are fleeting?
Whatever the reason, this saying serves as a gentle reminder to approach our reflections with a touch of scepticism. After all, reality often paints a different picture than our nostalgic recollections. So, let’s cherish the present moment and embrace the opportunities before us, knowing that sometimes the fish we catch is just as precious as the one that got away.
Koshi ga omoi
This is an expression that translates to “the waist is heavy”. It paints a vivid picture of sluggishness or poor motivation. It’s that feeling when there’s a task looming over you, and you just can’t seem to summon the energy to tackle it.
We’ve all experienced those moments when lounging around feels far more appealing than mustering the effort to get up and get going.
Similarly, there’s another saying, “Ashi ga omoi,” (足が重い) which means “to be heavy-footed,” capturing that sense of reluctance to move forward, even when we know we should. It’s a sentiment that resonates with many of us, particularly during those mid-life moments when the allure of comfort competes with the call to action.
Sometimes however, despite our inclination to linger in the comfort of inertia, we must muster the strength to push ourselves forward and make that effort. After all, it’s often in those moments of resistance that we find the greatest opportunities for growth and fulfilment. So, let’s embrace the challenge, shake off the heaviness, and take that first step toward progress.
Over to you
I hope you have enjoyed this collection of Japanese idioms. There are plenty more to discover in Yoshie Omata’s book, and there are links to previous posts on Japanese sayings above.
If you would like to access some of the images I have created in this and other posts, these are now available in printable format, check out my E-Book: Polly’s printable Positivity
They can be used as posters, pictures, in crafts or to stick in your planner for motivation.