How to Read “鳶が鷹を生む”
Tobi ga taka wo umu
Meaning of “鳶が鷹を生む”
“Kite gives birth to hawk” is a proverb that expresses when excellent and talented children are born from ordinary parents.
This proverb is used when children demonstrate talents that far exceed their parents’ abilities or social status. It is employed in situations where children show extraordinary abilities in academics, arts, sports, and other fields, despite their parents not having received special education or possessing notable talents. The reason for using this expression is that such phenomena are so rare and surprising that they would be impossible to occur in nature. Even today, when people witness children making great leaps beyond their educational environment and genetic factors, they use this expression to convey feelings of surprise and admiration. However, since this proverb contains nuances that may seem to look down on parents, it is necessary to carefully consider the audience and situation when using it.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Kite gives birth to hawk” comes from the differences in characteristics between two types of birds of prey: the kite (tobi) and the hawk (taka). Kites are familiar birds in Japan that primarily eat animal carcasses and food scraps, having strong scavenging tendencies, and have long been viewed as “lowly birds.” On the other hand, hawks were treasured as noble birds used for hunting, and their bravery and beauty made them symbols of the samurai class.
Biologically, kites and hawks belong to the same Accipitridae family and are closely related species, but in Japanese perception, they were completely different beings. Kites are familiar birds that soar through the sky with their “pee-hyororo” calls and live close to human settlements. In contrast, hawks live deep in the mountains and are fierce hunters that catch prey with sharp talons and beaks.
This proverb is said to have appeared in literature from the Edo period, and the strict class system of that era’s social background also influenced it. The surprise of excellent children being born from ordinary parents was compared to these two contrasting birds. It is believed that this expression came to be used with the premise of the biological common sense that “a kite cannot give birth to a hawk,” meaning something so rare and surprising.
Interesting Facts
Kites and hawks can actually interbreed, and their offspring are called “kite-hawk hybrids.” Modern ornithology has shown that the genetic distance between the two is not as great as once thought, making it not as “absolutely impossible” as people in the Edo period believed.
During Edo period falconry, kites were sometimes mistakenly captured instead of hawks. Therefore, falconers placed great importance on the skill of distinguishing between kites and hawks. This background is also considered to have contributed to the soil from which this proverb was born.
Usage Examples
- That family has been farmers for generations, but their son getting into Tokyo University is truly “Kite gives birth to hawk”
- Both parents were poor at sports, yet their daughter becoming an Olympic athlete is exactly what “Kite gives birth to hawk” means
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has changed significantly. In today’s information society, with the equalization of educational opportunities and improved learning environments through the internet, children have more opportunities to develop their talents regardless of their parents’ economic power or educational background. Seeing children who learn programming on YouTube through self-study or acquire specialized knowledge through online courses, the “Kite gives birth to hawk” phenomenon is no longer a rare occurrence.
Moreover, diversity is valued in modern times, and the definition of “excellence” has also changed. Not only academic credentials and social status, but various talents such as creativity, communication skills, and entrepreneurial spirit are now evaluated. It is now considered natural for children to demonstrate talents in new fields that their parents do not possess.
On the other hand, there are aspects of this proverb that require caution. By comparing parents to “kites,” it unconsciously creates nuances that look down on parents. In modern values, every person has inherent worth, and questions arise about determining superiority and inferiority through comparison. Therefore, more careful consideration is needed when using it.
Nevertheless, the essential meaning of this proverb – “surprise and joy at possibilities” – continues to resonate in many people’s hearts even today.
When AI Hears This
In the world of genetics, there’s an actual phenomenon called “atavism” or “skipped generation inheritance.” This mechanism, where grandparents’ traits skip the parents and appear in grandchildren, involves recessive genes. For example, when both parents have brown eyes but their child is born with blue eyes, it’s because a recessive blue-eye gene from one of the grandparents happened to combine in the grandchild’s generation.
Even more remarkable is the discovery of “epigenetics.” This refers to a phenomenon where the genetic sequence itself doesn’t change, but environmental factors and experiences can switch genes on or off, and this state gets passed down to the next generation. Research shows that grandchildren of pregnant women who experienced the Dutch Hunger Winter (1944) had increased risks of obesity and diabetes. The grandmother’s starvation experience altered genetic switches, affecting her grandchildren two generations later.
Additionally, mouse experiments have revealed that when fathers undergo learning training, their offspring can master the same tasks more quickly. This is believed to occur because the expression patterns of genes related to learning ability change and are transmitted to the next generation through sperm.
In other words, “a kite giving birth to a hawk” was actually ancient people’s sharp observation of a scientific phenomenon where ancestors’ superior abilities or experiences suddenly bloom in their descendants through atavism and epigenetics.
Lessons for Today
What “Kite gives birth to hawk” teaches us today is that human potential is never determined by environment or origin. No matter what circumstances you are born into, infinite possibilities lie dormant within you.
This proverb provides an important perspective especially for those involved in education and child-rearing. It teaches the importance of not judging children by existing frameworks, but focusing on the unique talents that each individual possesses. Regardless of parents’ occupations, educational background, or economic situation, all children have the potential to shine.
This proverb also gives us courage. If you ever feel like giving up on your possibilities because you’re “from an ordinary family” or “haven’t received special education,” remember this. Many great figures in history didn’t start from privileged environments either.
In modern society, learning opportunities are more abundant than ever before. Depending on your passion and effort, you can open new doors in any field. “Kite gives birth to hawk” might be a hymn to the infinite possibilities that all people possess.
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