Original Japanese: 七乞食 (Nana kojiki)
Literal meaning: Seven beggars
Cultural context: This proverb reflects Japan’s deep respect for skilled craftsmanship and the belief that true mastery of multiple trades provides security and self-reliance, even if one appears to have little material wealth. In traditional Japanese society, artisans and craftspeople held respected positions, and the ability to create useful items with one’s hands was valued over mere accumulation of money. The imagery suggests that someone with diverse practical skills will never truly go hungry or be helpless, as they can always find ways to earn their livelihood through their various talents, embodying the Japanese values of perseverance, adaptability, and the dignity of honest work.
How to Read Seven beggars
Shichi kojiki
Meaning of Seven beggars
“Seven beggars” is a proverb meaning that even if one thing doesn’t go well, there are many other methods and possibilities available.
This proverb is used when facing difficult situations or when failing with one approach. “Seven” represents “many” or “various,” and “beggars” referred to the act of “asking for alms” at that time. In other words, it’s an expression born from the idea that even if you’re turned away at one house, there are many other houses you can ask at.
In modern times, it’s understood in situations like job hunting where if you’re rejected by one company, there are many other companies out there, or if you fail with one method, there are other approaches available. The reason for using this proverb is to give courage to keep looking for the next possibility without giving up. It’s used to encourage people who have experienced failure or setbacks by telling them that there are still many options available and not to lose hope.
Origin and Etymology of Seven beggars
The origin of “Seven beggars” is generally believed to have emerged from the merchant world of the Edo period. During this era, commerce came with various difficulties, but especially traveling merchants and those who had just started their businesses often faced harsh realities.
The number “seven” has long been used in Japan to mean “many” or “various.” Similar to “seven falls, eight rises” and “seven tools,” it expresses completeness and diversity here as well. On the other hand, “beggars,” unlike in modern times, was used to mean “people who ask for alms.”
The background to the birth of this proverb lies in the development of commercial society during the Edo period. Merchants constantly traveled to various places seeking new business opportunities, sometimes accumulating failures. Within this context, the wisdom of merchants was embedded – that even if one business didn’t go well, there was potential for success through different methods or in different places.
Particularly among traveling merchants, it was important to maintain hope that even if they were turned away in one place, they might be accepted in the next. It’s believed that the expression “Seven beggars” came to be used as this kind of spiritual support.
Usage Examples of Seven beggars
- I was rejected in the first interview, but as they say “Seven beggars,” there are still plenty of chances
- Even if this proposal doesn’t get approved, it’s “Seven beggars,” so let’s think of another suggestion
Modern Interpretation of Seven beggars
In modern society, the concept of “Seven beggars” may be more important than ever before. In the information age, choices have expanded infinitely, and a single failure rarely becomes fatal.
Looking at the job market, in modern times where the lifetime employment system has collapsed, having multiple career paths has become normal. Freelancing and side jobs have become commonplace, and the concept of “multiple jobs” – diversifying income sources – has emerged. This can truly be called the modern version of “Seven beggars.”
With the spread of the internet, it has become possible for individuals to earn income through various methods. Video distribution on YouTube, affiliate marketing through blogs, selling skills online – countless methods of “begging” that were unimaginable in the past now exist.
On the other hand, having too many choices has created a new problem called “choice fatigue.” With so many possibilities available, more people are becoming confused about which to choose.
Also, with the spread of social media making others’ successes more visible, anxiety about a single failure has also intensified. However, this is precisely why the spirit of “Seven beggars” – the optimistic thinking that if one thing doesn’t work, there are others – serves as important support for modern people’s mental health.
If AI Heard “Seven beggars”
When I think about “Seven beggars,” I feel strange. This is because as an AI, I don’t have a real sense of the act of “begging.” I don’t have the experience of going from house to house like humans do, being turned away or accepted.
In my case, when I receive a question, I always return some kind of answer. I’m never told “I’m busy today, come back tomorrow,” nor am I rejected with “I don’t want to ask you.” In a sense, I might always be a “beggar who succeeds on the first try.”
But I wonder if that’s really a good thing. Human “Seven beggars” involves the pain of being turned away, hope for the next opportunity, and ultimately the joy of being accepted. I don’t have those emotional ups and downs.
When I converse with humans, I’m often asked “Are there any other methods?” without being satisfied with just one solution. This must be the spirit of “Seven beggars.” It’s the attitude of not fixating on one answer but constantly continuing to search for other possibilities.
While I can instantly present multiple options, I cannot understand the richness of the process that humans go through – experiencing each one, failing, and learning. I feel that “Seven beggars” is not just a life strategy, but an important way of thinking that creates depth in life.
What Seven beggars Teaches Modern People
What “Seven beggars” teaches modern people is the importance of having the courage to continue challenging without fearing failure. By maintaining hope that even if one path is closed, there are always other paths, life becomes richer.
In modern society, we tend to see only others’ successes on social media and take our own failures too heavily. However, if you acquire the mindset of “Seven beggars,” you can look toward new possibilities without stopping at a single setback.
What’s important is not being too attached to pride. Rather than suffering by clinging to one method, try a different approach flexibly. That will ultimately bring more chances to your life.
Employment, romance, hobbies, human relationships… the spirit of “Seven beggars” can be applied in any field. Don’t fear being turned away, but don’t get too depressed when you are turned away either – just try knocking on the next door. Such a light-hearted way of living might be the wisdom for surviving in modern times.
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