60 Fascinating & Intriguing Japanese Proverbs

Japan has amazing proverbs, which will intrigue, inspire, puzzle, and hopefully are thought-provoking.

What better way to get into the mind of a people than through their language, and proverbs can give us an insight into their culture and the way they think?

I came across hundreds and hundreds of proverbs, so it was difficult to pick the 60 I have chosen.

After victory, tighten your helmet strings

Katte Kabuto no o osshmeyo

You shouldn’t let your guard down after achieving success. It can be taken literally as you can see in the pictures below, but nowadays if you have success at work, don’t celebrate too long, move on, look for the next opportunity or it might evade you if you aren’t paying attention.

If you take shade, do it under a large tree

Yorabe taiju no kage

Serve the powerful for your own good. In Japan, it’s still common for people to want to work for large companies, these companies offer opportunities but also a degree of safety.

In your personal life, if you are looking for a mentor, it’s best to choose a person who has a wealth of knowledge and is much further along than yourself.

Nothing is more expensive than free

Tada yori takai mono wa nai

Things people do for free are harder to repay, whereas money is much easier to repay.

Many skills are not skill

Tagei wa mugei

A jack of all trades, but this is meant negatively, being good in many things, but not mastering one skill.

Great talents mature late

Taiki bansei

It was regarded that great people succeed in their later years.

Should not forget our original intention

Shoshin wasuru bekayazu

If it’s a long, difficult process/journey, why we are doing it is sometimes forgotten, so it’s important to remember why we are doing it. For example, this could be learning a language and we are doing it because we are going to that country for a holiday in the near future.

With many little strokes, a large tree is felled

Shoda mo tsumoreba taiboku wo taosu

Small consistent actions allow you to reach a greater goal. If you have a big debt, every month you pay money towards it eventually you will pay off your debt.

The prime of your life doesn’t come twice

Seinen kasanete kitarazu

You are only young once and your youth won’t come back “YOLO”. So don’t waste your youth take risks, and jump on all opportunities which come your way.

Alcohol (sake) reveals true feelings

Sake wa honshin wo arawasu

Alcohol loosens lips, and the truth sometimes can come out, it could be in a negative way of hatred/dislike of someone, e.g. telling your boss what you really think of them, or expressing love which was hidden and with the help of the alcohol it is revealed to the unsuspecting person.

A loud (meowing) cat doesn’t get mice

Naku neko wa nezumi o toranu

A cat needs stealth and silence to catch its prey.

Someone who is always talking and not listening, might miss out, or miss an opportunity.

Fall seven times, stand up eight

Nanakorobi yaoki

This reminds me of my favorite English proverb: “If at first, you don’t succeed, try, try again”.

Persistence and endurance pay off, keep going, and never give up on something important to you.

After the rain, the earth hardens

Ame futte ji katamura

Adversity builds character. When a bad situation/thing finishes, it toughens you up, and you are abler to cope with future problems and can handle them better.

The stake that stands out is struck

Deru kui utareru

This is probably better known as “the nail that sticks out gets hammered in”.

It’s traditional in Japanese culture to conform to your actions, behavior, and appearance, if you step out of the norm, you could experience criticism and negative experiences, and maybe your options are limited, leading you back into the traditional social norms. I believe this is changing, and hope it continues.

Three-day monk

Mikka Bouzu

This describes someone who wanted to be a monk, but after only three days gives up on this dream.

So it’s criticizing people who give up on something too quickly, or had dreams of doing something but never took action to make the dream come true.

If there’s a sinking current, it will get a change

Shizumu se areba ukabu se ari

A sinking current will rise again, when life has its downs there will be ups. It is the nature of life. Accept it and stop worrying about things that are out of your control.

Ten men, ten colors

Juunin toiro

It tells us that everyone is different and we have our ideas and options.

If pushing doesn’t work, try pulling

Oshite – mo dame-nara hite mina

Be flexible, and never give up on anything worth doing.

If something doesn’t work, change/adapt your method and keep going.

A skilled falcon hides its talons

No aru taka wa tsume wo kakusu

Use your talents/skills when it is to your advantage, and are needed the most. This could also be seen as the Japanese culture of being modest and not boosting/showing off your skills/talents.

Knock on a stone bridge before crossing it

Even if you think something is sturdy and reliable, it’s sometimes advisable to be cautious and not take things for granted.

Fishing bream with shrimp as bait

Sea bream (Tai) is a culturally significant fish in Japan.

The bream is prepared for special occasions such as weddings and New Year and is said to bring luck.

In contrast, shrimp (Ebi) is cheaper and used in everyday dishes.

So the proverb is telling us we can gain/achieve something great, even at a small cost.

Boil and drink dirt

This proverb is more positive/inspiring than it first seems. It’s said the dirt is under the fingernails of masters/mentors, which refers to their hard work/knowledge, and experience.

So boil and drink this is a way to consume their knowledge and experience and keep their skills/knowledge/experience alive.

Dumplings over flowers

Hana Yori Dango

The meaning of this proverb is that you should be practical, (dumplings can feed/nourish you), basically choosing substance over style. Sometimes it’s best to be practical instead of choosing something just for its looks.

Work in the fields on a fine day, read books on a rainy day

There is always something to do, no matter the circumstances you can adapt your activity to match the situation.

A skilled swordsman has superior manners

This, of course, comes from the samurai, who were great warriors, but also followed Budo, a philosophy that unites the mind, body, and technique.

It doesn’t matter your position in life, manners cost nothing.

Love and coughing cannot be hidden

This seems to be one of the more fun/amusing Japanese proverbs. Like a cough you can’t hold back, love is difficult to conceal. Love can be revealed by actions and doesn’t have to be spoken.

Two bodies, same heart

This is one of the more romantic Japanese proverbs.

Marriage unites two people as one. Their hearts become united into one.

In the midst of busyness, there is free time

Bouchuu Kan ari

We are all living busy lives in this modern world, but to keep our lives balanced it’s important to take a break, and do something you enjoy even if it’s having a coffee, taking a walk, or watching a sunrise/sunset. You should make time for a little relaxation in whatever form that takes.

A quote from one of my favorite movies, Ferris Buller’s Day Off

“Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while you could miss it.”

A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step

Senri no michi mo ippo kara

This is a famous one, and I expect you have come across this one before.

You might be overwhelmed doing a big project, studying, or a new job, you might feel its way above your head. Don’t be put off by the challenge, it’s best to start, then that will encourage you to go on.

Perseverance is power

Keizoku ha chikara nari

Keep going, stick with it. Never giving up could become your superpower.

Suspicion will raise demons

Gishin anki

Once you become suspicious, everything seems suspicious, and you start to distrust people. Your mind creates its demons, which will set you up for failure.

A frog in a well does not know the great sea

I no naka no kawaza taiki o shirazu

This proverb can be used to encourage someone to get a wider perspective. In a way we are all stuck in our bubbles, we have to think beyond our job, local area, or country.

We probably all need to expand our perspectives, look for opportunities, and soak up new experiences.

Watch a person’s behavior and correct your behavior

Hito no furi mite waga furi naose

One man’s mistake is another man’s lesson, watch, observe and learn. It’s not easy to admit to our own mistakes, we make up excuses for why we failed, and it’s easier to learn secondhand from other people’s mistakes.

To meet is the beginning of parting

Aa ha wakare no hajime

Things constantly change in life, a Buddhist observation is that as soon as you meet someone, you will soon part with them.

Every time you meet with loved ones, make the most of it.

One kind word can warm three Winter months

Expresses the power of being kind to people, you don’t know what they are going through, so treat people well, say hello, compliment them and it could make their day or three cold months.

A fog cannot be dispelled by a fan

I find this proverb intriguing, but to be honest I’m not sure of its true meaning of it. Maybe a big serious problem, can’t be solved by one person, it takes family/friends or a team to solve the problem.

What do you think?

Spilled water will not return to the bowl

The past is the past you can’t do anything to change something which happened in the past. Learn from the situation and move on. Live in the present/now, not in the past.

The smallest, good deed is better than the grandest good intension

Having good intentions is very good, but not acting on them makes them meaningless, we have to take action and do good deeds. It’s important not to look back and realize you have missed out on opportunities.

If money is not thy servant, it will be thy master

If you don’t control your money it will control you. If you get into debt, the money controls you. Aim for Financial Freedom.

Know the pain of others by pinching yourself

This Japanese proverb means that we should always know how to sympathize or empathize with other people. The concept of omoiyari is highly regarded in Japanese society, it means “consideration” or “compassion” towards other people and helping them depending on their needs. Omoiyari helps people understand the pain and emotion of others so that everyone can live in harmony.

Flowers even bloom on grass that has been stomped on

This proverb expresses that however bad the situation might appear, times change, and eventually, things will improve, and success can come from an adverse situation.

Even sea bream loses its flavor when eaten alone

As mentioned in a previous proverb sea bream (tai) is a celebrated fish for special occasions, however delicious the food is, if you are eating alone without the companionship of friends and family, the moment of celebration will feel hollow.

Forgiving the unrepentant is like drawing pictures on water

This is one of my favorite Japanese proverbs, it’s so descriptive and so true. We are told to forgive people, often too quickly, so the person doesn’t need to think about what they have said or done and understand how their words/actions have affected people.

We learn little from victory, much from defeat

Why comment on perfection, it’s very clear and true.

The pebble in the brook secretly thinks itself a precious stone

I think we all think we are special and will do great things in our lives.

First, the man takes a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes the man

I find this proverb intriguing, at first I took it literally, maybe it’s describing the descent into alcohol dependency.

Then I expanded the idea, it could mean anything you love too much will eventually enslave you.

Unless you enter the tiger’s den you cannot take the cubs

In life, if you don’t take risks or accept challenges, your life won’t be rich. You don’t want to get to the end of your life and think what if ……..?

Even monkeys fall from trees

Saru mo ki karu ochiru

It’s natural for monkeys to climb trees and swing from branch to branch, but even they make mistakes or get distracted and fall.

However skilled we are at our jobs/hobbies we make mistakes, and this should be expected.

A cornered rat will bite the cat

If you push someone around too much you think is weak, everyone has a snapping point and will fight back.

Those who chase two hares won’t even catch one

Nito wo oumono wa itto mo ezu

It’s best to focus on one goal at a time, you will be more likely to succeed. Many goals and splitting your focus is a recipe to achieve nothing.

The road is never too long with friends

Tomodachi to issho ni michi ga naga sugiru koto wa arimasen

This is a great proverb, saying life (the road) is best and more enjoyable with friends.

The mouth is the source of disaster

Kuchi wa wazawai no moto

Be careful what you say, words have power. Running your mouth off in the wrong situation can be your ruin. As they use to say “loose lips sink ships”.

Flower, Bird, Wind, Moon

Experience the beauties of nature, and in doing so learn about yourself.

Before you embark on a journey of revenge dig two graves

The emotion of revenge is natural, but it’s also destructive it does more damage to you than to the person you seek revenge.

Adversity builds character

Ame futte chikatamaru

Going through challenging/difficult situations makes you adapt to the situation to get through it.

So adversity can build character.

When poisoned, one might as well swallow the plate

Doku kuwaba sara made

Once you have started something you may as well, keep going and finish it, even if it’s difficult/unpleasant.

As Winston Churchill once said “If you find yourself in hell, keep walking”

It is dark one inch ahead of you

Issun saki wa yami

Another inspiring proverb, officially means, we can’t see into the future.

I think it could also mean we should live in the present, in the light. We can’t change the past, and we can’t see into the future, so let’s live in the now and make the most of our lives.

I hope you have found this selection of Japanese proverbs interesting and thought-provoking.