by Greg Beck

Today’s Topic: 諺 / ことわざ / Proverb
Kanji: 徳利に口あり
Kana: とっくりにくちあり
Translation: The bottle has a mouth.

This is a great play on words. Of course, all bottles have mouths, but a とっくり is an old name for a sake bottle and the “mouth” does not really refer to the bottle. This proverb is about good old “social lubrication,” and you could use this when your normally calm, sound co-worker suddenly says something outrageous to you at an office party. I would follow it up with a good solid “ね!” (or “のぅ!” if you like the Hiroshima dialect), but be aware that you are rather bluntly stating someone has had too much to drink and are running off at the mouth. Since Japanese culture is always concerned with saving face (and specifically with not saying anything that would cause others to lose face) you might want to wait until you’ve truly been insulted, or with some clear, sarcastic intonation so everyone knows you don’t mean what you’re saying, and you just want to get a rise out of them (which is typical behavior for a “well oiled” Japanese office party after all…).

Questions? Comments? Even better, if you see a chance to bust this one out, I’d love to hear the story afterward. Consider this your homework, and an excuse to drink on a weeknight!

by Greg Beck

Today’s Topic: 諺 / ことわざ / Proverb
Kanji: 焼き餅焼くとて手を焼くな
Kana: やきもちやくとててをやくな
Translation: Don’t let jealousy get the best of you.

Above is the equivalent translation of what we might say in English, but the Japanese is actually much more descriptive. For whatever reason*, やきもち (literally, “grilled, pounded rice”) also means “jealousy,” the noun. Furthermore, やきもちをやく means both “to grill up some yakimochi,” and ”to get jealous,” the verb. So, now that you have this image of your heart as a lump of pounded rice, on fire, roasting with jealousy, you are starting to get the imagery behind how the Japanese imagine the emotion. Now you are ready to hear a slightly more direct translation (by me): “Even in the flames of jealousy, don’t burn your hand.”

Ever hear a Japanese person say to you in English “I envy you” when they mean to say “I’m so jealous!” So what’s the difference? The Japanese, along with several other cultures, have long viewed jealousy as one of the strongest, most dangerous emotions. A woman who dies with feelings of jealousy will become a ghost, or even a demon, instead of passing on peacefully, so it is also believed that too deep a feeling of jealousy can summon misfortune into your life. So, when they want to express that they are happy for your luck and wish they had it too, it seems common sense to avoid a word like jealousy, which to them would only bring the opposite.

* I really don’t know why! Do you?

By Greg Beck

Today’s Topic: 諺 / ことわざ / Proverb
Kanji: 三人寄れば文殊の知恵
Kana: さんにんよればもんじゅのちえ
Translation: Three heads are better than one.

Okay, so the English equivalent is “two heads are better than one,” but the Japanese say three instead of two and, rather than comparing it negatively to one person, they compare three people favorably to a bodhisattva. In Buddhism, there is a Buddha (or “bodhisattva”) of Transcendent Wisdom named Mañjuśrī, or “文殊” in Japanese. This deity wields a flaming sword of wisdom that slices and dices through ignorance and hypocrisy.

But even outside the Asian group-oriented mindset, it is common knowledge that when you are stuck with a problem it helps to ask others for advice. By consulting your peers, you will 寄る (attract) more 知恵 (wisdom). Even if you fancy yourself a “lone wolf” or don’t wish to burden others with your problems, ultimately those who do will benefit from combining intellects. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go listen to “A Little Help from My Friends” by The Beatles.

by Greg Beck

Today’s Topic: 諺 / ことわざ / Proverb
Kanji: 郷に入れば郷に従え
Kana: ごうにいればごうにしたがえ
Translation: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

One of the more commonly used proverbs, you have all probably heard it at one point or another. Whether it flew over your head or not depends on your Japanese ability. Although there are several slight variations on the grammar in this proverb, the message is the same. The word 郷 does not mean “Rome,” but rather “village.” Likewise, 従え does not mean “do,” but rather “abide by.”

While living in Japan, you probably feel more protective of the culture you were raised in, and may even be tempted to try to induct Japanese people around you into your way of doing things. It is important to remember, however, that, like Rome, Japan has over 2000 years of culture and their own way of abiding. So, in order to affect the most positive change, and to share your own culture and just enjoy life in general, you would do well to introduce your culture while obeying the laws of the land. I sincerely hope that this common proverb becomes your modus operandi, rather than the sometime popular saying “gaijin smash.”

By Greg Beck

Today’s Topic: 諺 / ことわざ / Proverb

Kanji: 能ある鷹爪隠す」

Kana: のうあるたかつめかくす

Translation: A skilled hawk hides its talons.

This Japanese proverb actually does come up in conversations from time to time, because it is so true and can be applied to so many situations.

Just like not giving away your hand in poker, by staying modest you give yourself an advantage in life. This is true for any culture, but especially in Japan. Showing off needlessly only annoys those around you. Even plainly stating your talents, you can still come across as aggressive, boastful, or vain. I am absolutely guilty of this, but I really do aspire to be more しぶい (possesing a refined, masculine air).

In Japan, someone who uses their talents only when necessary, is thought to have a “hidden coolness” that is highly respected and admired. You can see this in any of Akira Kurosawa’s old samurai movies’ protagonists like Sanjuro or Yojimbo, and on occasions when good guys do not possess this ability to “hide their cards,” they are always cast as the comedic relief, such as the pair in “The Hidden Fortress.”

So be cool everybody. Be cool.

By Greg Beck

Today’s Topic: 諺 / ことわざ / Proverb

Kanji: 頭寒足熱腹八合

Kana: ずかんそくねつはらはちごう

Translation: Head cool, feet warm, stomach 80%.

With all the new JETs arriving all over Japan, this proverb holds a lot of great advice. I’m sure you all hear plenty at the many orientations about how to stay healthy and enjoy your time in Japan, but this short and simple proverb says it all.

Keep a cool head, both literally and in temperament. Getting upset will never help you in a tough situation and during these sweltering summer months, you will want keep a sensu or uchiwa (two types of Japanese fan) nearby. A hand towel for your sweaty face, or to dry your face after a splash of water to cool down, might not be a bad idea either.

Keep your feet warm. This doesn’t mean wear toe socks, although they do feel good. Basically, stay active. Exercise helps your body balance your hormones and increases endorphin levels, meaning it quite literally makes you happier.

A stomach at 80% could be interpreted as dieting or not over-eating, but I think of in terms of good rap artists who always talking about “staying hungry”. A content person is less likely to change or keep an open mind to new ideas. Never let yourself be satisfied with the status quo. Keep fighting to improve yourself and your surroundings so you don’t stagnate.

By Greg Beck

Today’s Topic: 諺 / ことわざ / Proverb

Kanji: 顔は心の鏡なり

Kana: かおはこころのかがみなり

Translation: The face becomes a mirror of the soul.

Long before I ever came across this saying, I believed in this deeply. It is important to note that this is not just the Japanese equivalent of “the eyes are the gateway to the soul”, although I’m sure there is some of that meaning in there as well. かお means “face”, and that is precisely what they mean, but this is not just about reading someone’s intentions at a given moment. The word なり means “become”, and I would interpret this to mean that a life of negativity makes for an ugly face, while a life of smiling and positivity, even when you become old and wrinkled, looks good. Obviously most of us are somewhere in between, but if you have a vain spot in your heart, this is one excuse to be a better person.

Small disclaimer: yes 心 means “heart”, but in matters of looking within, it is interchangeable with “soul”.

Photo by Aramand Agasi/ Published under Flickr Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

By Greg Beck

Today’s Topic: 諺 / ことわざ / Proverb

Kanji: 深水程静かなり

Kana: ふかみずほどしずかなり

Translation: Still waters run deep.

This month’s proverb is a classic in both Japanese and English.

Although I went with the English equivalent, rather than a direct translation, I like the Japanese way of saying it better. Not just because “Japanese sounds cool,” but because the actual meaning translates to “The deeper the water, the quieter.” This is because English and Japanese both use the metaphor that something “deep” is more meaningful. And over the years this saying has been expressed much more explicitly and in many ways, from “The more you know the less you say” to the (probably faux-Confucian) version, “The fool chatters, while the wise man listens.” At any rate, I’ll shut up now.

Photo by Aramand Agasi/ Published under Flickr Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

By Greg Beck

Today’s Topic: 諺 / ことわざ / Proverb

Kanji: 理髪屋は絶対に済ますまでは途中で止めない。

Kana: りはつやはぜったいにすますまではとちゅうでやめない。

This expression may not be familiar to many of your Japanese co-workers, but it means “A barber always finishes, not quitting midway.” I may have only chosen this phrase because my sister is a barber. But it’s true! As a barber, giving up before seeing something through is unforgivable, and not just once, but every time! “Some things in life have to be seen through” is the moral, I guess.

理髪屋 is an old way of saying “Barbershop” but back then, that literally referred to the guy cutting hair. In fact, most professions in Japan were that way – family businesses – so linguistically there was no necessity to distinguish between the person and the job, which is why a lot of times Japanese will throw さん at the end of a shop like パン屋さん for “bakery”. For people just starting to study 漢字 (kanji), notice that the verb is やめない in this case, even though it could be read as とどめない or とめない. They all mean “stop”, but やめる is like quitting or giving up, とどめる is to stop in place like sewing a button in place or staying the night, and とめる is the act of stopping something, like a faucet or your car. *PHEW* Aren’t you glad you chose Japanese?

Photo by Aramand Agasi/ Published under Flickr Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

By Greg Beck

Today’s Topic: 諺 / ことわざ / Proverb

Kanji: 鳩は自由に皇居に舞い込む。

Kana: はとはじゆうにこうきょにまいこむ。

This expression means “Pigeons fly free through the palace.” I like how visual and straightforward this is, but of course it begs the question “Why does that mean anything?” In this saying, the pigeon is set in contrast to people, who of course are not free to roam about imperial palaces. Why should some dumb bird get to enter such hallowed grounds while people cannot? Simple. The rules don’t apply. In other words, it does no good to be overly officious and pout over “unfair” things, because in nature rules are relative, and the emperor is just another dude.

In terms of Japanese language, 舞い込む is a great verb that “fly free through” doesn’t do enough justice. It can also be translated as “breeze in”, “drop in”, or “happen to”. I chose “fly free” because the ことわざ　says 自由に, or freely, but 舞い means dance and 込む means “to go into”, so that’s another very cool descriptive bit of Japanese for you.

Photo by Aramand Agasi / Published under Flickr Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-SA 2.0