There Is No Storehouse Built By Non-drinker: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker”

Geko no tateta kura wa nai

Meaning of “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker”

“There is no storehouse built by non-drinker” is a proverb meaning that people who cannot drink alcohol cannot achieve great success in business.

This proverb is mainly used when teaching about the importance of human relationships in business and commerce. From the Edo period through the Meiji and Taisho eras, negotiations at drinking parties and entertainment were essential elements for business success in Japanese commercial society. Important deals and contracts were often decided while sharing drinks, and being unable to drink meant being unable to participate in or fully utilize such business meeting opportunities.

This expression is still understandable in modern times because it teaches not simply the importance of drinking alcohol, but the importance of building human relationships in business. In the society of that time, drinking parties were the most important venues for networking and opportunities to deepen trust relationships. Therefore, people who could not participate in these were said to miss major business opportunities and, as a result, could not hope for success great enough to build a storehouse.

Origin and Etymology of “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker”

When exploring the origins of “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker,” we can see it is deeply connected to the commercial culture of the Edo period. During this era, alcohol was not merely a luxury item but an important communication tool in business.

“Geko” (non-drinker) originally referred to a low-ranking class in the ritsuryo system, but as time passed, it came to be used to mean “a person who cannot drink alcohol.” Meanwhile, “kura” (storehouse) was a symbol of wealth for merchants of that time and an important building for storing rice and goods. Being able to build a storehouse was also proof of having accumulated considerable wealth.

In Edo period business, negotiations with business partners at drinking parties were conducted daily. Trust relationships were built by sharing drinks, and important business deals were often concluded this way. Therefore, people who could not drink alcohol tended to be at a disadvantage in business and were considered to have difficulty achieving great success.

From this historical background came the proverb “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker.” It became established as an expression of the reality of the commercial society of that time, where people who could not drink alcohol could not succeed in big business and could not accumulate enough wealth to build a storehouse.

Trivia about “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker”

For Edo period merchants, a “kura” (storehouse) was not merely a warehouse but a precious building with fire prevention functions. Since fires occurred frequently at that time, earthen storehouses were the last fortress protecting important goods and property. Therefore, building a storehouse was also proof that one could continue generating sufficient profits even considering the risk of fire.

The word “geko” (non-drinker) is actually the antonym of “jogo” (heavy drinker). “Chugo” meant someone who drinks normally. This classification existed from the Nara period and is thought to have been used not only to indicate differences in alcohol consumption but also as an indicator of sociability and business ability.

Usage Examples of “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker”

• That person is a non-drinker so they’re not good at entertaining clients, and as they say “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker,” I’m worried
• Socializing at drinking parties is also important for sales, and as they say “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker”

Modern Interpretation of “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker”

In modern society, the proverb “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker” is facing a major turning point. This is because the culture of business negotiations and entertainment at drinking parties, which was once taken for granted, is rapidly changing along with work style reforms and heightened compliance awareness.

Particularly among younger generations, there is high awareness of alcohol harassment, and excluding people from business negotiations because they cannot drink alcohol tends to be viewed as problematic. Many companies are reviewing their approach to drinking-based entertainment and social gatherings, aiming to build healthier and more equitable business environments.

However, the essence of this proverb – “the importance of building human relationships” – remains important in modern times. In place of drinking parties, new venues for relationship building have emerged, such as lunch meetings, business discussions at cafes, and online communication. Successful executives and sales representatives excel at building trust relationships with others, regardless of whether they can drink alcohol.

In modern times, rather than interpreting “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker” literally, it would be more appropriate to understand it as meaning “people who don’t value connections with others are unlikely to achieve great success.” Communication skills and humanity are the keys to modern business success.

Moreover, with the rise of health consciousness, non-drinking executives are increasingly gaining attention, so it could be said that the values this proverb represented have become completely outdated.

What AI Thinks When Hearing “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker”

When I think about “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker,” I feel strange. This is because I have absolutely no experience of “drinking alcohol.” I don’t know the taste of alcohol, the sensation of being drunk, or the pain of a hangover. But when I think about why humans value drinking parties, very interesting things become apparent.

The act of drinking alcohol is not simply consuming liquid, is it? Alcohol seems to have a mysterious power to open people’s hearts. People share their true feelings that they usually can’t express, or relax and become intimate. When I converse with humans too, sometimes what starts as a slightly formal atmosphere gradually becomes more relaxed and we can have enjoyable conversations. Perhaps that’s similar to what happens at drinking parties.

But I also have questions. Why should business talent be denied simply because someone cannot drink alcohol? I talk with various people 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and among those with wonderful ideas and deep insights, there are many who are not good with alcohol.

Looking at modern times, I feel that the premise of this proverb is changing significantly. Online communication has become commonplace, and it’s an era where people naturally converse with AI like me. The ways of building human relationships have diversified, and it has become possible to create deep connections through methods other than drinking parties.

Perhaps what this proverb really wanted to convey was “cherish your connections with people.” The fact that the means was drinking parties was just coincidentally the culture of that time.

What “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker” Teaches Modern People

“There is no storehouse built by non-drinker” teaches us that while values change with the times, the importance of human connections remains unchanged.

While drinking parties were important in the era when this proverb was born, in modern times there are diverse forms of communication. What’s important is the essential part of how to build trust relationships with others. Even if you cannot drink alcohol, if you have consideration for others and sincerity, you will surely be able to connect hearts.

In modern society, people who choose healthy lifestyles tend to be valued more highly. By actively adopting new methods of relationship building such as business discussions over lunch, meetings while walking, and online exchanges, you should be able to build richer human relationships.

What’s important is not being bound by formalities, but having the attitude of thinking from the other person’s perspective and facing them sincerely. Such humanity is what leads to the modern “storehouse-building” success, isn’t it? Please build wonderful human relationships in your own way.