How to Read “所変われば品変わる”
Tokoro kawareba shina kawaru
Meaning of “所変われば品変わる”
“Place changes then goods change” means that when the location changes, the nature and quality of things produced or grown there also change.
This is a proverb that simply expresses physical differences, indicating that even the same type of item will have different characteristics and quality when the place of origin or environment changes. For example, the same vegetable will differ in taste and size depending on whether it was grown in mountainous areas or plains, and the same handicraft will have different finishes because the materials and techniques vary by region.
This proverb is used when talking about regional specialties, when tasting local products while traveling, or when dealing with products from various regions in business. It’s used in expressions like “As expected, place changes then goods change – the pottery from this region has a unique character.”
Even today, this expression is naturally used when recognizing the value of regional brands and specialty products. It can be said to be a word that expresses Japanese people’s attachment to regions and understanding of diversity, positively embracing the uniqueness created by each land’s environment and culture.
Origin and Etymology
Regarding the origin of “Place changes then goods change,” the exact literary source is actually unclear, but it’s considered an old proverb that has been used since the Edo period.
Looking at the structure of this phrase, “place” refers to location, and “goods” represents the nature and quality of things. What’s interesting is that “goods” here is used in its original meaning of “nature and characteristics of things” rather than the modern meaning of “dignity.” In ancient Japan, climate and natural features varied greatly from region to region, and it was a daily reality for people that the nature of things produced or grown would change accordingly.
Merchants of the Edo period experienced firsthand that products with the same name had completely different quality and characteristics depending on their place of origin as they traveled between regions. For example, even with rice alone, rice from Echigo and rice from Omi differed in taste and quality, each influenced by the climate and soil of their respective lands.
This proverb born from such real experiences not only expressed simple physical differences but is presumed to have eventually been used to express differences in people’s temperaments and cultures as well. The social background of the Edo period, which valued regionality, is considered one of the factors that established this proverb.
Usage Examples
- Hokkaido potatoes and Kyushu potatoes – place changes then goods change, they taste completely different
- As expected, place changes then goods change – the sake from this region has a distinctive flavor
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of “Place changes then goods change” has been greatly expanded and is often misused. Originally a phrase expressing differences in the nature of things, it’s now often used with a meaning similar to “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” In other words, it’s interpreted as a life strategy meaning “since customs and culture change when places change, one should adapt accordingly.”
However, in our modern era of advancing globalization, “Place changes then goods change” in its original meaning holds new value. Precisely because we live in an age of mass production and mass consumption, interest in regionally distinctive products is growing. The concept of local production for local consumption, and the popularity of craft beer and region-limited products can be said to be examples of applying the essence of this proverb to modern times.
With the spread of internet shopping, it has become easy to order specialty products from various regions. Consumers enjoy the differences in “goods” unique to each land, such as seafood from Hokkaido, brown sugar from Okinawa, and soba from Shinshu. This means we’ve entered an era where we can truly experience “Place changes then goods change.”
On the other hand, with the advancement of industrial product standardization, where products of the same quality are taken for granted regardless of where they’re made, the real sense of this proverb has diminished in some ways. However, perhaps this is precisely why the value of regionally distinctive products is being re-recognized, and attention is focused on “local specialties.”
When AI Hears This
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do” seems to have anticipated one of the most complex philosophical problems facing our modern globalized society.
Consider those moments when foreigners’ behavior goes viral on social media for all the wrong reasons. Stepping onto tatami mats with shoes on, talking loudly on the phone, cutting in line. Should we dismiss these as mere “cultural differences,” or should we criticize them as “universal breaches of etiquette”?
In multinational corporations, this judgment becomes even more critical. The American style of assertive self-advocacy gets labeled as “lacking teamwork” in Japan. Meanwhile, the Japanese culture of “reading between the lines” is seen as “inability to communicate” in Western contexts. Which approach is actually correct?
Philosophers have been debating this as the clash between “cultural relativism” and “universalism.” The former argues that “all values are determined by culture,” while the latter insists that “there are universal values common to all humanity.”
What’s fascinating is how we unconsciously draw boundary lines. We readily accept food preferences and clothing styles as “cultural differences,” yet when human rights issues arise, we invoke “universal values.” What’s the basis for drawing these lines?
This proverb poses a question to modern people: In our increasingly globalized world, how far should we go to “do as the Romans do,” and what should we protect as “unchangeable values”?
Lessons for Today
“Place changes then goods change” teaches modern people the importance of having a heart that accepts diversity. By understanding that the same things can have different characteristics when their environment or background changes, we can develop more tolerant and enriched perspectives.
In modern society, efficiency and standardization tend to be emphasized, but this proverb gives us a perspective that values “differences.” When you visit new places, by tasting local specialties or touching handicrafts unique to that area, you’ll be able to feel the joy of discovering that region’s individuality.
This teaching can also be applied to human relationships. The same person may show different sides depending on their environment. Rather than criticizing this as “changed,” if we can accept it as “charm that exists because of that place,” human relationships should become deeper and warmer.
Precisely because globalization is advancing, we want to keep a heart that values regionality and individuality. Your area surely has special “goods” that can’t be experienced elsewhere. Why not start by finding and cherishing them?
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