How to Read “牛に対して琴を弾ず”
Ushi ni taishite kin wo danzu
Meaning of “牛に対して琴を弾ず”
This proverb means that it is futile to speak about lofty matters that don’t match the listener’s understanding or interests.
Just as playing beautiful koto music to a cow would be meaningless because the cow cannot understand its value, no matter how wonderful the content a speaker shares, if the listener lacks the ability or interest to understand it, those efforts will not be rewarded. This expression is not meant to look down on others, but rather teaches the importance of considering the other person’s position and level of understanding in communication.
It is used in situations such as when discussing specialized topics with general audiences who cannot understand them, or when passionately talking about art or culture to people who have no interest in such matters. Even today, it can be said to be universal wisdom that applies to many situations, serving as a lesson about the necessity of changing one’s way of speaking according to the listener’s interests and knowledge level.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb is said to originate from a story recorded in the ancient Chinese text “Liezi.” It comes from a tale about a musician named Gong Mingyi from the Warring States period, who played beautiful koto music to a cow, but the cow showed no reaction and continued eating grass.
Gong Mingyi was a renowned performer of his time, whose koto skills were so impressive they could move people to tears. However, this episode was passed down as a story showing that no matter how wonderful music may be, it holds no meaning for those who lack the ability to understand it.
This story was also transmitted to Japan, where it became established as the proverb “To cow play lute.” While cattle have been closely involved in human life since ancient times, they lack the ability to understand the beauty of music. This contains the lesson that no matter how valuable something may be, it is meaningless if the recipient cannot understand it.
In China, it is still used today as the four-character idiom “dui niu tan qin,” which has the same meaning as the Japanese proverb. This expression is not simply meant to ridicule others, but is a profound phrase that makes us think deeply about the essence of communication.
Usage Examples
- Talking to children about economic policy was like “To cow play lute”
- Explaining the appeal of Impressionism to a friend with no interest in art is “To cow play lute”
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more multifaceted. In our SNS and information-based society, we send and receive vast amounts of information daily, but much of it may be in a state of “To cow play lute.”
Particularly when experts disseminate information to the general public, cases frequently occur where they use specialized terminology and complex concepts as-is, resulting in failure to communicate. This phenomenon is prominently seen in fields such as medicine, law, and IT. On the other hand, the importance of “communicating in an understandable way” has been recognized in modern times, giving birth to professions that bridge specialized knowledge to the general public, such as science communicators and educational YouTubers.
However, as a problem unique to modern times, the “unwillingness to understand” on the part of recipients has also been pointed out. Precisely because we live in an age of information overload, there is a tendency to avoid slightly difficult content and consume only simple, stimulating information. This differs from the classical “To cow play lute” in that it represents a state where people have the ability to understand but lack the motivation to do so.
Furthermore, with globalization increasing communication with people from different cultural backgrounds, the lesson of this proverb has become more important. Speaking based on one’s own common sense without understanding the other person’s culture and values is precisely the modern version of “To cow play lute.”
When AI Hears This
When we examine “playing the lute to a cow” from the perspective of the speaker’s arrogance, this proverb actually reveals a serious communication problem.
Modern educational psychology emphasizes “learner-centered approaches,” which means the responsibility lies with the teacher to adjust their communication style to match the audience’s level. The reason why brilliant researchers don’t always make excellent teachers is precisely due to this lack of “translation ability” – the skill to adapt content for their audience.
What’s particularly fascinating is the psychological structure at play when speakers lament that “the other person doesn’t understand.” According to cognitive bias research, people easily fall into the “curse of knowledge” regarding their areas of expertise, becoming unable to imagine where beginners might struggle. As a result, instead of reviewing their own explanation methods, they end up treating their audience like “cows” before examining their own communication failures.
In contemporary leadership theory, there’s a growing trend to view situations where instructions don’t reach subordinates as “leadership communication skill deficits” rather than “subordinate comprehension problems.” Truly capable individuals are those who can appropriately “translate” complex concepts according to their audience’s level.
This proverb can be reinterpreted as a stern warning to communicators: examine your own delivery methods before looking down on others.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is that true communication begins with consideration for others. While the desire to showcase our knowledge and experience is natural, whether it becomes meaningful to the other person starts with thinking from their perspective.
What’s important is not giving up on the other person as “someone who cannot understand,” but making efforts to figure out how to communicate effectively. Making efforts to replace technical terms with everyday language, use concrete examples, or relate topics to areas of the other person’s interest creates communication in the true sense.
Also, the wisdom to sometimes judge that “now is not the time to communicate” is necessary. When the other person is tired, concentrating on something else, or not mentally prepared, forcing a conversation won’t produce good results for either party.
In your daily conversations too, try watching the other person’s expressions and reactions while conveying your thoughts in the form that would be most valuable to that person. This is not about diminishing yourself, but is an expression of respect and affection for the other person. Words spoken with sincerity will surely reach the other person’s heart.
Comments