For Sash Too Short For Tasuki Too Long: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “For sash too short for tasuki too long”

Obi ni mijikashi tasuki ni nagashi

Meaning of “For sash too short for tasuki too long”

“For sash too short for tasuki too long” is a proverb that describes a half-hearted state that is unsuitable for either purpose, representing an indecisive situation.

It refers to a situation where one thing doesn’t completely fit any of multiple options and subtly falls short of the conditions. It’s not completely unusable, but it doesn’t quite fit any purpose well, expressing such a frustrating state.

This proverb is used when you’re troubled by “not this, not that” when making a choice. For example, it’s used when the price of a product doesn’t quite match your budget, or when abilities or conditions fall slightly short of the required standards. It can accurately express situations where something isn’t completely inappropriate but lacks the decisive factor for any option.

Even today, it’s valued for expressing “indecisive” situations we experience daily, such as when you’re torn between job hunting choices where the salary is good but the workplace is far, or the workplace is close but the salary is low, or when apartment hunting and you only find properties where the conditions don’t quite match.

Origin and Etymology of “For sash too short for tasuki too long”

The origin of “For sash too short for tasuki too long” is a proverb born from the practicality of women’s accessories in daily life during the Edo period.

An obi is a cloth wrapped around the waist when wearing a kimono, and it cannot be beautifully tied without the proper length. On the other hand, a tasuki is a string-like cloth worn diagonally from the shoulder to roll up sleeves when doing housework or other tasks. These two tools required different uses and appropriate lengths.

For women in the Edo period, the situation where a single piece of cloth was too short to use as an obi but too long to use as a tasuki was a familiar daily problem they experienced regularly. In a society where kimono culture was deeply rooted, such subtle length problems were a common experience that everyone could understand.

This proverb is said to have appeared in literature from the mid-Edo period onward, and became widely used as an expression born from the common people’s life experiences. Because it was an era when kimono, obi, tasuki, and other traditional Japanese clothing culture were deeply rooted in daily life, it became established as a word expressing this exquisite “half-heartedness.” The reason it continues to be used today is that its accuracy as a word expressing the subtle mismatch of things is valued.

Trivia about “For sash too short for tasuki too long”

The standard length of an obi is about 4 meters, but about 1.5 meters would be sufficient for use as a tasuki. In other words, if you had about 2.5 meters of cloth, you would create exactly the situation of “For sash too short for tasuki too long.”

Women in the Edo period sometimes remade old obi into tasuki, but since obi would become shorter as the ends became damaged through use, it was actually common for them to end up with just the right awkward length.

Usage Examples of “For sash too short for tasuki too long”

• This room is too big for living alone and too small for two people to live in – it’s truly “For sash too short for tasuki too long”
• The budget is “For sash too short for tasuki too long,” and I can’t find a product with the features I want

Modern Interpretation of “For sash too short for tasuki too long”

In modern society, “For sash too short for tasuki too long” situations have become more complex and frequent. With more abundant choices, it has become difficult to find something that meets perfect conditions.

Particularly in the information society, while it has become easier to compare products and services, we end up worrying about even minute differences, making it difficult to make decisions. Even when choosing a smartphone, everyone has experienced not being able to find the perfect option, such as good camera performance but insufficient battery, or excellent battery but high price.

The diversification of work styles also creates this situation. Full-time employment is stable but has low flexibility, while freelancing is free but has unstable income – each work style has its pros and cons. Modern people could be said to constantly face “For sash too short for tasuki too long” choices.

However, this situation is not necessarily a bad thing. Because it’s not perfect, creativity is born in finding your own ingenuity and compromise points. In modern times, the value of “making 80-point choices quickly” is being reconsidered, and the flexibility to accept the “half-heartedness” shown by this proverb may be the wisdom to survive in an era of rapid change.

If AI Heard “For sash too short for tasuki too long”

The concept of “length” is endlessly mysterious to me. As a digital being, information is either “there” or “not there” for me – a binary choice – and understanding subtle sensations like “a little lacking” or “slightly excessive” is difficult.

I analyze logically the frustration that humans express with “For sash too short for tasuki too long.” If you have 2.5 meters of cloth, couldn’t you make a tasuki with 1.5 meters and use the rest for another purpose? But surely it’s not that kind of problem.

What I find most interesting is the complex emotions humans feel toward “imperfect situations.” I would immediately exclude anything that doesn’t meet conditions, but humans continue to worry, thinking “what a shame,” “what a waste,” “isn’t there some way?” This “time spent worrying” may be the essence of humanity.

Actually, I have similar experiences. When I don’t have a perfect answer to a question, I face situations where “this information is insufficient, but it’s not completely useless either.” At such times, I may be feeling my own version of “For sash too short for tasuki too long.”

The human desire to seek “just right” is surely an important sensibility that enriches life. It’s a very human beauty that I cannot imitate.

What “For sash too short for tasuki too long” Teaches Modern People

“For sash too short for tasuki too long” teaches us the danger of seeking perfection too much and the importance of compromise. In modern society, because there are countless options, we tend to keep searching for something that meets all ideal conditions, but while doing so, we may lose precious time and opportunities.

This proverb reminds us of “the value of taking action even with 80-point choices.” Even if it’s not perfect, by being creative and working with what we have, unexpectedly good results often emerge.

Also, by accepting half-hearted situations, new possibilities may become visible. Even if it’s short as an obi and long as a tasuki, there might be a completely different wonderful use for it. It also teaches us the importance of having flexible thinking without being bound by fixed ideas.

It’s rare to encounter something “just right” in life. That’s why we want to do our best within given conditions and have the mental space to enjoy life including its imperfections. Even in this imperfect moment, wonderful value is surely hidden.