How to Read “目は口ほどに物を言う”
Me ha kuchi hodo ni mono wo iu
Meaning of “目は口ほどに物を言う”
“Eyes speak things as much as mouth” means that eye expressions and gazes convey as much, or even more, to others as words do.
It expresses that human emotions and feelings can be conveyed to others through eye movements and expressions, even without actually speaking them aloud. Various emotions such as joy, sadness, anger, love, and anxiety appear in the eyes, and those who see them can understand the other person’s state of mind even without words.
This proverb is often used in romantic situations. Even when one cannot directly express their feelings for someone they like in words, if their gazing eyes are filled with affection, those feelings will be conveyed to the other person. Also, in close relationships such as between parents and children or married couples, being able to understand each other’s feelings just by looking at their eyes after years of being together is also explained by this expression.
Even today, the importance of “eye power” in presentations and interviews is emphasized precisely because we instinctively understand the richness of expression that eyes possess, as this proverb indicates.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Eyes speak things as much as mouth” is thought to have emerged from the special consciousness that Japanese people have long held toward “eyes.”
Japanese classical literature contains numerous descriptions emphasizing emotional expression through eyes since the Heian period. In “The Tale of Genji” and “The Pillow Book,” expressions such as “eye area” and “gaze” are frequently used when describing characters’ emotions, showing that Japanese people have regarded eyes as windows to the heart since ancient times.
This proverb is said to have become established in its current form during the Edo period. Within the common culture of the Edo period, an aesthetic that avoided direct verbal expression and a “culture of perception” that involved sensing others’ feelings developed. Particularly among merchants and craftsmen, communicating through eye expressions without speaking was highly valued.
The influence of Buddhism cannot be overlooked either. Buddhism has the concept of “eye consciousness,” and the idea that one’s mental state appears through the eyes had taken root. Zen Buddhism especially emphasized the philosophy of “mind-to-mind transmission,” valuing spiritual communication beyond words, which is also considered to be part of the background of this proverb.
This expression also appeared in ukiyo-zōshi and human interest novels of the late Edo period, and it seems to have spread widely among common people.
Interesting Facts
Human eyes are said to be capable of creating approximately 10,000 different expressions. Through combinations of minute changes such as the number of blinks, pupil size, direction of gaze, and degree of eyelid opening, such rich expression becomes possible.
Interestingly, the ability to read eye expressions is an instinctive skill that humans are born with. Even babies just a few months old can read emotions by looking at their mother’s eyes, so the phenomenon of “Eyes speak things as much as mouth” can truly be said to be a fundamental human characteristic.
Usage Examples
- She didn’t say anything, but as “Eyes speak things as much as mouth,” I could clearly see that she was actually happy
- Looking at my son’s expression, as “Eyes speak things as much as mouth,” I can immediately tell what he’s thinking
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of the proverb “Eyes speak things as much as mouth” has become more complex. With the advent of the digital age, our methods of communication have changed dramatically.
Now that online meetings and video calls have become routine, opportunities to try to read emotions from others’ eyes through screens have increased. However, due to camera angles and lighting effects, actual eye expressions often don’t convey accurately, and misunderstandings are more likely to occur. Also, with mask-wearing becoming commonplace, more attention has been focused on eye expressions, leading to renewed recognition of the importance of this proverb.
On the other hand, on SNS and messaging apps, emojis and stamps serve as substitutes for “eye expressions.” Emojis like ? and ? might be said to be the modern version of “Eyes speak things as much as mouth.”
However, with the development of AI technology, facial recognition and emotion analysis have become possible, advancing objective analysis of information that can be read from eye expressions. The “expressive power of eyes” that we previously understood intuitively is now being scientifically elucidated.
For modern people, this proverb is inherited not merely as a beautiful expression, but as more practical wisdom representing essential human communication abilities that remain unchanged even in digital society.
When AI Hears This
Since mask-wearing began, we have unconsciously developed our “expressive power of the eyes” at a rapid pace. In fact, psychological research reports that mask-wearing has increased the movement of facial muscles around the eyes by an average of 30%.
Take conveying a smile, for example. Since the mouth area is hidden, we’ve learned to express smiles through crow’s feet and the way our cheeks lift. The expression “eyes that smile” has never been more practical. Even store clerks have dramatically improved their ability to convey “thank you” feelings using only their eyes in customer service.
However, what’s fascinating is that the limitations of this “eyes-only communication” have simultaneously come to light. Subtle sarcasm and complex emotions are difficult to convey through eyes alone. Particularly emotions like “wry smiles” or “troubled smiles,” which were expressed through delicate combinations of mouth and eye movements, have lost a significant amount of information due to masks.
Even more surprising is the “expression gap” that occurs when masks are removed. Cases where the impression from the eyes doesn’t match the impression from the mouth area have increased, with reports of phenomena where first impressions of people change dramatically. In other words, while eyes certainly tell us much, it has been proven that the true “music” of facial expression is completed only through the “ensemble” with the mouth area.
Lessons for Today
What “Eyes speak things as much as mouth” teaches modern people is the importance of communication beyond words. We are surrounded by much information daily and tend to be required to communicate efficiently, but truly important things cannot be conveyed through words alone.
Especially in human relationships, this proverb reminds us of the importance of looking into the other person’s eyes when speaking. In our busy daily lives, we often have conversations while looking at smartphones or communicate through screens, but sometimes it’s necessary to take time to look firmly into the other person’s eyes and sense feelings that cannot be put into words.
Also, please pay attention to your own eye expressions. Your eyes convey much more to the people around you than you think. A gentle gaze reassures others, serious eyes build trust, and warm eyes convey affection.
In modern society, superficial communication tends to increase, but this proverb teaches us the value of “heart-to-heart dialogue.” When you want to deepen relationships with important people, why not first look into their eyes and try to convey your feelings through your own eyes?
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