How to Read “Leftover tea brings good fortune”
Amaricha ni fuku ari
Meaning of “Leftover tea brings good fortune”
“Leftover tea brings good fortune” means that even leftover or remaining things can hold unexpected luck or value. Things that appear to have little worth or that nobody wants can actually hide surprising benefits or advantages.
This proverb teaches the importance of noticing leftovers in a world where people tend to chase only new things or the best options. The last tea remaining in a teapot might taste surprisingly good, or clearance items might turn out to be hidden treasures.
It warns us not to judge things based only on surface appearances.
Today, people use this saying when the last item at a sale turns out to be high quality, or when an unpopular choice ends up being the best one. It contains a deep insight: the true value of things cannot be measured by looks or first impressions alone.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Leftover tea brings good fortune” has no clear written record. However, people believe it emerged from common people’s daily life during the Edo period.
“Leftover tea” refers to the last tea remaining in a teapot or tea left over from a tea gathering. Back then, tea was precious. High-quality tea was especially hard for ordinary people to obtain.
Tea remaining after serving guests was often drunk later by the host or family. This leftover tea sometimes had a deep flavor from the second or third steeping. The tea leaves had fully opened and released their true aroma.
The word “degara-shi” (used tea leaves) shows how people generally saw once-brewed tea as having less value. But some people knew from experience that leftover tea or second steepings actually had a mellow, deep taste.
This proverb also connects deeply with Japan’s “mottainai” spirit of not wasting things. It spread as wisdom from common people’s lives.
It captured the idea that even seemingly worthless things can hide unexpected goodness or fortune.
Interesting Facts
In the tea world, some tea leaves are actually preferred in their second or third steeping rather than the first. High-grade teas like gyokuro are said to bring out their sweetness and umami best in the second steeping.
This proves that “leftover tea” is not necessarily inferior.
During the Edo period, merchant households had a custom of not throwing away tea leaves after serving guests. They used spent tea leaves for cleaning or scattered them on tatami mats to suppress dust.
They found ways to use everything until the very end. This lifestyle culture nurtured the spirit of finding value in leftovers.
Usage Examples
- I went to see the property that remained unsold until the end, and it turned out to have perfect sunlight and layout—this was truly “Leftover tea brings good fortune”
- I took on the job everyone avoided, and it led to great results—this is exactly “Leftover tea brings good fortune”
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “Leftover tea brings good fortune” contains deep insight into the nature of human judgment. We instinctively believe that new things, first choices, and popular items have value.
But this very assumption causes us to miss true value.
Competition constantly happens in human society. Everyone wants the same things and aims in the same direction. As a result, things nobody looks at are automatically judged as having low value.
But if we think calmly, the majority is not always right.
Places where people rush to often have excessive competition. Places nobody notices may quietly hold opportunities.
This proverb has been passed down for generations because it sees through human weaknesses: our “herding instinct” and “superficial judgment.” Our ancestors knew the importance of not following trends or popularity.
They knew to judge the value of things with their own eyes.
People who can find value in leftovers have independent judgment not swayed by others’ opinions.
This proverb also teaches “the value of waiting.” Don’t jump at things immediately. Keep calm and assess the situation carefully.
This attitude attracts unexpected good fortune.
When AI Hears This
Information theory defines that predictable events have less information, while unpredictable events have more. For example, “the sun rises in the east” is certain, so it has zero information.
“Rolling a six on a die” is uncertain, so it has information.
Leftover tea has uneven quality. Its taste and aroma are hard to predict. This means high entropy and high uncertainty. Meanwhile, premium tea is strictly controlled and guaranteed to have the same quality every time.
This is a low-entropy state where results are predictable before drinking.
In information theory, predictable things provide no new information.
Here a paradox emerges. Each time you drink leftover tea, you might encounter unexpected tastes or aromas. This “surprise” is exactly what Shannon called information content.
Sometimes quality tea leaves get mixed in, or unique blends happen by chance.
Such unpredictable discoveries can never occur with perfectly controlled products.
In other words, “good fortune” is the chance to gain information that uncertainty brings. Mathematically, the possibility of discovering new value exists higher within randomness.
Perfection brings peace of mind, but it rarely produces true benefits like learning or discovery.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people the importance of “the ability to judge value with your own eyes.” If you only look at trending topics on social media or restaurants with long lines, you’ll miss what truly suits you.
In job hunting, don’t just apply to popular companies. Search for environments that help you grow, even if they lack name recognition.
In romance, don’t chase someone everyone admires. Find someone truly compatible with you.
In shopping, don’t follow trends. Choose quality items you can use for a long time.
Having the courage to choose leftovers leads to an independent life not controlled by others’ opinions. Most importantly, it opens chances to shine in your own way where competition is less.
You don’t need to walk the same path as others.
When you find your own “leftover tea,” unexpected happiness may be waiting there. Don’t rush. Don’t get swept along. Trust your own senses and make your choices.
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