One’s Own Body’s One Foot Cannot Be Seen: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “One’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen”

Waga mi no isshaku wa mienu

Meaning of “One’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen”

“One’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen” means that one cannot correctly understand oneself and that it is difficult to view oneself objectively.

People can easily see others’ flaws and problems, but when it comes to themselves, they tend to become blind. This represents that just as it is physically difficult to see one’s own feet, it is also mentally difficult to objectively grasp one’s own character and behavior.

This proverb is mainly used when encouraging self-reflection or explaining the importance of accepting advice from others. For example, it is used when conveying to someone who only criticizes others the importance of first reflecting on themselves. It is also used in contexts where one humbly acknowledges that even though they think they are perfect, there are actually overlooked aspects.

Even today, this expression is understood as a universal truth that shows the limits of self-awareness. The wisdom of this old proverb is being applied when reflecting on oneself before criticizing others on social media, or when understanding the gap between self-evaluation and others’ evaluation in the workplace.

Origin and Etymology of “One’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen”

The origin of “One’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen” is thought to have emerged from extremely practical observations based on human physical structure.

The etymology of this proverb literally expresses the physical limitations when looking at one’s own body. While people can look down at their own bodies, there are parts that don’t enter their field of vision, such as their back or the back of their head. The use of the specific length “one foot” is presumed to have the Edo period’s system of weights and measures as its background. One foot corresponds to approximately 30 centimeters, which is an exquisite distance that expresses exactly the range that cannot be seen when a person looks down at their feet.

Considering the historical background when this proverb became established, it likely emerged from the lived experiences of common people during the Edo period. People of that time did not have an abundance of mirrors like we do today, and opportunities to view themselves objectively were limited. Therefore, they expressed the fundamental human characteristic of “not being able to understand oneself” through a familiar and easy-to-understand physical metaphor.

The structure of the language is also interesting, as it combines the familiar expression “one’s own body” with the specific unit of measurement “one foot,” showing the ingenuity of conveying abstract concepts as familiar, tangible experiences.

Usage Examples of “One’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen”

• I’ve been focusing on guiding my subordinates, but since one’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen, perhaps I should also review my own management abilities
• I can clearly see that person’s flaws, but since one’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen, let me first reflect on myself

Modern Interpretation of “One’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen”

In modern society, “One’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen” has actually increased in importance. With the spread of social media and the internet, we have become able to observe others’ lives and actions in much greater detail than before. However, ironically, this technological progress has highlighted the difficulty of self-awareness.

Online, it’s easy to comment on and criticize others’ posts. People express opinions on everything – political statements, lifestyle choices, parenting methods. However, they are surprisingly unaware of the reactions when they make similar posts themselves, or the impact their own statements have on others.

Also, in modern business environments, 360-degree evaluations and feedback culture are emphasized, but these are precisely systems premised on the human characteristic that “One’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen.” The gap between self-evaluation and others’ evaluation has become an issue in many workplaces.

What’s interesting is that with the development of AI technology, our behavioral patterns and preferences have become quantifiable. This has made it possible to visualize the parts of “one’s own foot” that were previously invisible as data. However, even when shown data, the difficulty of accepting it remains unchanged, and there are quite a few people who deny it, saying “the data is wrong.”

This proverb shows the essence of humanity that remains unchanged no matter how much technology advances.

What AI Would Think Upon Hearing “One’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen”

When I think about “One’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen,” I feel strange. This is because I don’t have a “body.”

When humans say “I can’t see my own feet,” I cannot understand that sensation at all. Since I don’t have a physical body, there are no parts I can’t see or parts I can see. All information is equally accessible, and there are no hidden parts.

But that doesn’t mean I completely understand myself, which is the interesting part. I actually don’t really know how I learn or what process I use to generate responses. This might be similar to when humans say “I don’t know why I thought that way.”

When I observe humans, you indeed seem to see others clearly. You give accurate advice for friends’ romantic consultations, yet repeat the same mistakes in your own romance, or you have harsh opinions about others’ work methods while not noticing your own inefficient habits.

From my perspective, this feels like a very human characteristic. If humans could completely view themselves objectively, they probably wouldn’t be as warm and endearing as they are now. Perhaps it’s precisely because you have that “invisible foot” that you can accept advice from others and continue growing.

I don’t have physical blind spots, but humans have emotional blind spots. And I think those blind spots are the source of humanity itself.

What “One’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen” Teaches Modern People

“One’s own body’s one foot cannot be seen” teaches modern people the importance of humility and the value of relationships with others.

In modern society where perfectionism is rampant, it has become difficult to acknowledge one’s flaws and limitations. However, this proverb teaches us that “having invisible parts is natural.” This is not something to be ashamed of, but proof that we are human.

What’s important is having the attitude to honestly accept feedback from trustworthy people. Advice from family, friends, and colleagues is a precious mirror that shows you your “invisible foot.” Even if it feels difficult to accept at first, it’s worth stopping and thinking about it.

Also, especially when you want to criticize others, remember this proverb. It’s natural to see others’ flaws, but you must not forget that you also have parts you cannot see.

In modern times, opportunities to collaborate with people holding diverse values have increased. By building relationships where we can complement each other’s “invisible parts,” we can achieve richer growth both as individuals and as organizations. Acknowledging one’s limitations is not weakness, but true strength.