How to Read “同じ釜の飯を食う”
Onaji kama no meshi wo kuu
Meaning of “同じ釜の飯を食う”
“Same pot’s rice eat” is a proverb that expresses the deep bonds and sense of camaraderie born from sharing life and circumstances over a long period, experiencing both hardships and joys together.
This expression doesn’t simply mean eating together on a superficial level. It refers to the special trust relationships and solidarity that develop from spending long periods in the same environment, experiencing both difficult and good times together. It’s used in various situations—family, workplace colleagues, school friends, military comrades—but what they all share is the “deep connection built over time.”
The reason for using this expression lies in the special meaning that sharing meals has in human relationships. Daily meals are the foundation of life, and sharing them indicates being deeply involved in each other’s lives. Even today, it’s used to express relationships you can rely on in times of trouble, companions who deeply understand each other, and is understood as a word that expresses true bonds, distinct from superficial relationships.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Same pot’s rice eat” is deeply rooted in Japan’s ancient communal living customs. The background of this expression’s birth is greatly connected to the dietary habits and living environment of ancient Japanese people.
Since ancient times in Japan, it was common to cook rice in one large pot and have family members and community constituents share and eat it. Particularly in samurai society, temples, and merchant houses, from masters to servants, despite differences in social status, they often ate rice cooked in the same pot.
This custom held important meaning not just for efficiency, but for deepening unity as a community. By sharing the same food, bonds as a community of shared destiny were born, and mutual trust relationships were built.
Since descriptions similar to this expression can be found in Edo period literature, it’s considered to have been used among Japanese people for at least several hundred years. Particularly among samurai, it was valued as a word expressing unity among those serving the same lord.
This expression, still used today, beautifully preserves in words the values that Japanese people have long cherished: “bonds born from eating together.”
Interesting Facts
In ancient Japan, pots were extremely valuable tools. Iron pots were expensive and carefully shared within a household or community, so using the “same pot” itself was proof of being recognized as a member of that group.
Interestingly, similar concepts exist around the world. English has “break bread together,” and Chinese has “同甘共苦” (sharing sweet and bitter together). Words expressing bonds born from sharing food might be a universal human sentiment.
Usage Examples
- Those two have been Same pot’s rice eat since their student days, so they understand everything about each other
- Because we’re colleagues who have been Same pot’s rice eat for many years, I believe they’ll always help me when I’m in trouble
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of the expression “Same pot’s rice eat” has undergone significant changes. With the advancement of nuclear families and the normalization of individual meals and eating out, opportunities to literally eat rice cooked in the same pot have drastically decreased.
However, this change doesn’t necessarily diminish the value of the proverb. Rather, in modern times, it has come to be understood as a broader meaning of “sharing experiences” that goes beyond physical meal sharing. For example, it’s used to express bonds born from accumulating shared time and experiences, such as colleagues who worked on the same project for a long period, teammates who sweated together in the same club activities, or online game members who cooperated for long hours.
In the modern era where technological advancement has made it possible to build deep connections even when physically apart, it could be said that the essence of this proverb—”trust relationships built over time”—has become even more important.
On the other hand, in modern society where job changes have become normal and human relationships have become fluid, there’s also the challenge that opportunities to build long-term deep bonds have decreased. That’s precisely why the “value of human relationships built carefully over time” shown by this proverb might be an important theme for modern people to reconsider.
When AI Hears This
Looking at modern dining habits, convenience store lunches, frozen meals, individually packaged foods, and solitary desk eating have become the norm. However, the impact of this shift on human relationships runs deeper than we might imagine.
When people share meals together, a psychological phenomenon called the “synchronization effect” comes into play. Repeating the same actions at the same time—chewing and swallowing—triggers the release of oxytocin, known as the “trust hormone,” in the brain, naturally fostering closeness with others. Additionally, sharing the same ingredients creates a sense of being part of a “community of fate,” forming the foundation for deep bonds.
Yet modern individualized eating fundamentally severs this biological bonding mechanism. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has reported a correlation showing that people who less frequently share meals with family members are more likely to struggle with workplace relationships.
Even more fascinating is research revealing that rice cooked in the same pot carries subtle shared aromatic qualities that unconsciously promote “group recognition.” With individually packaged foods, this chemical shared experience is completely lost.
The loneliness and declining sense of organizational belonging that plague modern society may not simply reflect changing values, but rather stem significantly from the loss of biological bonding power caused by transformed eating cultures.
Lessons for Today
What “Same pot’s rice eat” teaches modern people is the simple yet profound truth that true human relationships cannot be built overnight.
In an era where we can connect instantly through SNS, why not reconsider the value of relationships that are carefully nurtured over time? Rather than superficial interactions, the bonds with people who have shared your joys and sorrows and overcome difficult times together should be what enriches your life.
In modern times, we can connect hearts even without being physically in the same place. What’s important is valuing time with others and accumulating shared experiences. Whether at work, in friendships, or with family, try to consciously treasure the casual time spent together.
This proverb teaches us the relationship version of “haste makes waste.” In modern society where we tend to seek immediate results, it reminds us once again of the beauty and strength of relationships built slowly over time. Why don’t you start being conscious of “Same pot’s rice eat” with important people from today?
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