How to Read “七転び八起き”
Shichi-korobi ya-oki
Meaning of “七転び八起き”
“Seven falls eight rises” is a proverb that expresses the indomitable spirit of getting back up and continuing to challenge oneself again and again, no matter how many failures or setbacks one experiences.
As the numerical relationship of falling seven times but getting up eight times shows, it emphasizes that the number of times one rises is always one more than the number of failures. This is not simply encouragement to “do your best,” but rather teaches the importance of continuing to move forward without giving up, recognizing that failure is unavoidable in life.
The situations where this proverb is used are mainly when encouraging people facing difficult circumstances or when motivating oneself. It is used for people who have experienced various setbacks, such as those who have failed in business, students who have failed entrance exams, or people who have stumbled in human relationships.
Even today, this expression continues to be beloved by many people. This is because, as long as modern society remains a competitive society, everyone has the potential to experience failure and setbacks. This proverb teaches us that rather than hiding failure as something shameful, the power to overcome it is what constitutes true human strength.
Origin and Etymology
Regarding the origin of “Seven falls eight rises,” while no clear documentary evidence remains, it is recorded as a proverb that was already widely used among common people during the Edo period.
The interesting point about this expression lies in its combination of numbers. The number “seven” has been used since ancient times in Japan as a symbolic number representing completeness or abundance. “Seven seas” and “seven wonders” – seven holds special meaning in various parts of the world. Meanwhile, “eight,” being one more than seven, expresses a strength that surpasses it.
Looking at the structure of the words, “falling” means physical tumbling, but here it is used as a metaphor for failure and setbacks in life. And “rising” expresses not simply standing up, but the mental strength to recover from difficulties.
The background to this proverb’s establishment is thought to lie in the merchant culture of the Edo period. Failure was inevitable in business, but the indomitable spirit of recovering from it time and again was highly valued. Also, the influence of bushido, where mental strength to “stand up even after defeat” was considered a virtue, likely influenced the spread of this proverb during that era.
It can truly be said to be a very Japanese expression that combines the charm of numbers with the indomitable spirit of humanity.
Usage Examples
- Although I failed at starting a business, I’m challenging myself with a new venture with the spirit of Seven falls eight rises
- I failed the entrance exam, but I think I’ll work hard once more with Seven falls eight rises
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Seven falls eight rises” has developed new interpretations in addition to its traditional meaning. In the information age, while information about failures spreads instantly, success stories are similarly shared, making the concept of “learning from failure” more highly valued.
Particularly in startup culture, the idea of “fail fast” has become widespread, and the spirit of Seven falls eight rises overlaps with modern concepts of “pivot” and “iteration.” In other words, the attitude of repeating trial and error quickly without fearing failure, and improving each time, is being valued.
However, there are also challenges specific to modern society. With the spread of social media, in an environment where others’ successes are constantly visible, one’s own failures can feel more prominent. Also, with changes in the lifetime employment system, a single failure can sometimes feel irreversible.
On the other hand, with the increase in side jobs and freelancing, the modern era can be said to be a time when it’s easier to practice Seven falls eight rises. Even if one fails in one field, it has become easier than before to make a fresh start in another field.
In modern times, this proverb is being reevaluated not as mere spiritual theory, but as concrete behavioral guidance.
When AI Hears This
This mathematical contradiction is actually a philosophical mechanism that cleverly expresses the human psychological state.
Falling seven times and rising eight times means that we don’t start counting our lives from the moment of “falling,” but rather begin in a state of already “standing up.” In other words, from the moment we’re born, we’re viewed as beings who have already completed our first “rising up.”
This concept is fundamentally different from Western “starting from zero” thinking. While Western culture tends to accumulate failures as negative points, this Japanese expression starts from “plus one” and builds up positives each time we fall and rise again.
What’s even more fascinating is how this “surplus of +1” functions as a psychological “buffer of hope.” By numerically guaranteeing that we can “always rise up one more time,” it creates a system that logically avoids despair.
This could be seen as an approach that cleverly exploits what behavioral economics calls “loss aversion bias.” By redefining falling not as a loss but as an opportunity to rise up, it fundamentally changes the cognitive framing of failure. This mathematical trick serves as the spiritual foundation that supports Japanese people when facing difficulties.
Lessons for Today
What “Seven falls eight rises” teaches us today is the value of continuing rather than aiming for perfection. In modern society, only success stories tend to get attention, but in reality, many people grow by accumulating small failures in places others cannot see.
The true teaching of this proverb lies not in avoiding failure, but in how to face it. If you fear falling and don’t walk, you will never reach your destination. What’s important is to think about “why did I fall?” when you do fall, and to devise ways to walk more skillfully next time.
In modern times, we have many opportunities to see others’ successes on social media, and it can feel like we alone are failing. However, the more successful people are, the more failures they have actually experienced. Your failures are never something to be ashamed of.
Also, this proverb doesn’t only teach about “standing up alone.” Sometimes getting up with help from those around you is also a fine form of “eight rises.” In modern society, overcoming difficulties while supporting each other may be becoming more important.
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