How to Read “目と鼻の先”
Me to hana no saki
Meaning of “目と鼻の先”
“Eye and nose’s tip” is a proverb that expresses being at a very close distance.
It is used to express short physical distances, referring to places that can be reached immediately on foot or locations within visible range. It is used in situations where you want to emphasize closeness that requires almost no travel time, such as “That place is at the eye and nose’s tip, so we can get there right away.”
The reason for using this proverb is to impressively convey the closeness of distance to others. Rather than simply saying “close,” by using the familiar body parts of eyes and nose as examples, you can convey that closeness as a tangible sensation. Even today, it is commonly used in daily conversation, such as shops at the eye and nose’s tip from the station, or parks at the eye and nose’s tip from school. It also has the effect of giving reassurance to others, especially when giving directions or explaining locations.
Origin and Etymology
“Eye and nose’s tip” is a very understandable proverb born from the structure of the human face. The eyes and nose are located in the central part of the face and are actually only a few centimeters apart. It is believed that this began as an expression of “very close distance” using this physical sense of distance.
Since this expression can be found in Edo period literature, it is thought to have been used for at least several hundred years. For people of that time, it was natural to use their own bodies as a reference when expressing distance. Just as units based on the body such as “one sun” and “one shaku” were used, “eye and nose’s tip” likely became established as an expression based on bodily sensations.
What’s interesting is that this expression includes not just “close” but also the nuances of “right there” and “within reach.” Since the eyes and nose are particularly important organs in the face and parts we are constantly aware of, their sense of distance may have been perfect for expressing “familiarity” and “accessibility.” In this way, it is a proverb that has continued to be beloved for a long time as an expression that skillfully utilizes human bodily sensations.
Interesting Facts
The actual distance between eyes and nose varies among individuals, but on average it’s about 3-4 centimeters. It’s interesting that this short distance has continued to be used as a standard for Japanese people’s sense of distance for such a long time.
There’s a similar expression to “eye and nose’s tip” – “within stone’s throw” – but since this assumes the actual act of throwing a stone, the distance becomes somewhat longer. “Eye and nose’s tip,” which uses a body part, seems to be more beloved as a more familiar and approachable expression.
Usage Examples
- There’s a convenience store at the eye and nose’s tip, so I can go buy something right away
- Let’s meet at a place that’s at the eye and nose’s tip from the station
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the expression “eye and nose’s tip” is used not only for physical distance but also as words expressing good access and convenience. Particularly in real estate advertisements and store introductions, expressions like “at the eye and nose’s tip from the station” and “at the eye and nose’s tip from school” are frequently used, becoming standard phrases to appeal the goodness of location.
In the internet age, while the importance of physical distance might seem to have diminished, the value of “closeness” has actually been rerecognized. While online shopping has become widespread, physical closeness of being able to “go get it immediately” or “walk there” is treasured as a sense of security for emergencies or when you want to obtain something you need right away.
Also, in the modern era where telework has become widespread, cafes and coworking spaces at the eye and nose’s tip from home are gaining attention. The “closeness” that can significantly reduce commuting time has become a great attraction for modern people who value time efficiency.
Furthermore, in an aging society, having hospitals, pharmacies, and supermarkets at the eye and nose’s tip has become an important factor that affects quality of life. In this way, even in the modern era of advancing digitalization, this proverb expressing physical “closeness” has not lost its value but continues to acquire new meanings.
When AI Hears This
The human face conceals fascinating cognitive mechanisms. The actual distance between the eyes and nose is merely 3-4 centimeters, yet why has this become the quintessential example of “very close proximity”?
Research in cognitive psychology reveals that humans have a strong tendency to use the face, rather than hands or feet, as a reference point when measuring distance. This phenomenon is called “face-centered cognition.” For instance, babies can recognize the positional relationships of facial features within hours of birth, while sensations in their hands and feet develop much later. In other words, the face serves as humanity’s most primitive and reliable “measuring stick.”
Even more remarkably, the brain regions that process facial information are closely connected to areas governing spatial cognition. The sense of distance between the eyes and nose—the “central parts of the face”—functions as the brain’s most trusted reference value for close proximity.
The reach of one’s arms varies between individuals, and sometimes we cannot see our feet. However, the distance between the eyes and nose represents an absolute standard that we can grasp unconsciously without looking in a mirror. This proverb was a linguistically expressed, cognitively scientific, and extremely rational articulation of humanity’s most fundamental spatial cognition system—our face-centered sense of distance.
Lessons for Today
The proverb “eye and nose’s tip” teaches us the value of things close to us. In modern society, we tend to look toward wonderful things far away, but perhaps it’s the small happiness and conveniences within reach that actually support our daily lives.
In our busy daily lives, we are reminded of how much the existence of familiar places – the delicious bakery at the eye and nose’s tip, the library we can casually drop by, the small park where we can take walks – supports our hearts. Before longing for famous tourist destinations far away, if we first explore our neighborhoods, we might find unexpected discoveries.
The same can be said about human relationships. While connecting with distant people through social media is important, by cherishing relationships with family at the eye and nose’s tip, neighbors, and workplace colleagues, we should be able to build a richer daily life. This proverb is warm wisdom that reminds us of the irreplaceable value hidden within the ordinary thing called “closeness.”
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