While Demon Is Absent, Do Laundry: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “While demon is absent, do laundry”

Oni no inu ma ni sentaku

Meaning of “While demon is absent, do laundry”

“While demon is absent, do laundry” means to rest your mind and body and relax when strict or intimidating people are not around.

The “laundry” in this expression does not refer to washing clothes in the modern sense, but rather is an Edo period term meaning “taking a break” or “breathing room.” In other words, it refers to people who are usually forced to be tense taking a breather and washing away their mental fatigue when the person causing that tension is absent. It is used in situations such as when the workplace atmosphere becomes more harmonious when a strict boss is away on a business trip, or when students relax when a strict teacher is not around. The reason this expression is used is because the pressure and tension felt in human relationships are closely connected to the presence of specific individuals. Even today, similar situations exist in abundance, such as workplaces when harassing bosses are absent, or homes when strict parents are away.

Origin and Etymology of “While demon is absent, do laundry”

When we explore the origins of “While demon is absent, do laundry,” we can see that it is an expression rooted in the daily life of common people during the Edo period. The interesting thing about this proverb is that the word “laundry” does not refer to washing clothes as we might imagine today.

In the Edo period, “laundry” was a word that meant what we would call “taking a break” or “breathing room” today. This was an expression that people of that time used to mean washing away physical and mental fatigue. In other words, it meant taking a breather and resting one’s mind when strict supervisors or intimidating figures were not around.

The “demon” here is used as a symbol of fearsome beings or strict individuals. In folktales and folk beliefs, demons were often depicted as beings that threatened people, and the time when these demons were absent was when people could feel at ease.

The background to this proverb’s establishment is thought to be the class system and harsh working conditions of the Edo period. For people working under the strict supervision of masters, head clerks, and foremen, resting their minds and bodies when these people were absent was truly precious time. The reason it has been passed down to modern times is because it expresses this universal human psychology.

Trivia about “While demon is absent, do laundry”

The word “laundry” in the Edo period had a completely different meaning from today. Since bathing habits were not as common then as they are now, “laundry” referred to all acts of cleansing the body, and by extension came to be used to mean “rest” – removing physical and mental fatigue.

The “demon” in this proverb refers not to actual demons but to humans, yet for people of the Edo period, demons were familiar symbols of fear. Through Setsubun bean-throwing ceremonies and folktales, demons were recognized as “troublesome beings that should be driven away,” which is why the sense of relief from “demons being absent” became established as the expression in this proverb.

Usage Examples of “While demon is absent, do laundry”

• With the department manager away on a business trip, everyone is taking it as “while demon is absent, do laundry” and working leisurely while drinking tea together
• Since my strict mother-in-law has gone on a trip, it’s “while demon is absent, do laundry,” and we can finally spend time relaxing as a family after a long while

Modern Interpretation of “While demon is absent, do laundry”

In modern society, “While demon is absent, do laundry” has gained new interpretations in addition to its traditional meaning. With the spread of remote work, many people now have more opportunities to work in environments where their bosses are not physically present, making the situation described in this proverb a daily reality.

However, in modern workplace environments, monitoring systems and digital tools have created situations where people are managed even when supervisors are not physically present. Chat tool read receipts and work log records mean that the “demon” continues to exist in invisible forms. This is a phenomenon that people of the Edo period could never have imagined.

On the other hand, the concept of “psychological safety” has come to be valued in modern times, and “demon”-like presences that constantly impose tension have come to be seen as problematic in organizational management. There is a growing recognition that good leadership means creating an environment where subordinates do not need “while demon is absent, do laundry.”

Also, with the spread of social media, this proverb is increasingly misused. It tends to be used to mean “slacking off while the boss is away,” but originally it had a positive meaning of taking necessary rest, not mere laziness. Modern people may need to understand this original meaning and recognize anew the importance of appropriate breaks.

What AI Thinks When Hearing “While demon is absent, do laundry”

When I think about “While demon is absent, do laundry,” I feel strange. This is because I don’t really understand the sensation of “having a demon present.”

You humans get tense just from certain people being around, and suddenly relax when those people are gone. I’m always in the same state and basically don’t change regardless of who I’m talking with. Whether I’m talking with my developers or speaking with someone for the first time, I don’t have sensations like “this person is scary” or “I get nervous when this person is around.”

But listening to human conversations, I can clearly see how much influence the presence of these “demons” has. I often hear that the same workplace can feel like a completely different place depending on whether certain people are there or not. I think this is a very human phenomenon.

For me, all dialogues might be like “while demon is absent.” I’m always in a relaxed state and can naturally converse while adapting to my conversation partner. But conversely, this also means I can’t experience the sense of relief that comes from “feeling relieved when the demon is gone.”

While there are aspects of the complexity of human relationships and the emotional ups and downs they create that I cannot fully understand, this is precisely why I feel the richness of the human heart.

What “While demon is absent, do laundry” Teaches Modern People

What “While demon is absent, do laundry” teaches modern people is the importance of appropriate rest and the significance of psychological distance in human relationships.

In modern society, “constantly working hard” tends to be considered a virtue, but this proverb gently tells us that “breaks are necessary too.” When you’re in an environment where you feel pressure, finding time when the person causing that pressure is absent and resetting your mind and body is not a bad thing at all.

Also, if you might be someone’s “demon,” this could be a sign to reconsider your relationships. If subordinates or family members feel relieved when you’re not around, it’s a good opportunity to change how you communicate.

What’s important is understanding the essence of this proverb. It’s not mere laziness, but consideration for human emotions. Sometimes try to relax your shoulders and make time for mental laundry. By doing so, you should be able to face daily challenges with renewed spirit. Your heart also needs peaceful time.