People And Folding Screens Do Not Stand Straight Immediately: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “People and folding screens do not stand straight immediately”

Hito to byōbu wa sugu ni wa tatazu

Meaning of “People and folding screens do not stand straight immediately”

This proverb means that both people and folding screens become unstable if they are too straight, and can only stand properly when they maintain appropriate flexibility.

Folding screens literally cannot stand on their own and will fall over if stretched out completely straight, but they can stand stably when bent at appropriate angles. Similarly, humans who are too serious and inflexible, approaching everything head-on, cannot navigate well in society. Only by bending flexibly at times and adapting to others and situations can one maintain a stable position in society. This doesn’t mean being servile, but rather teaches the importance of appropriate cooperation and flexibility. It’s a proverb that teaches us the importance of a balanced way of living—neither too stubborn nor lacking a core.

Origin and Etymology of “People and folding screens do not stand straight immediately”

The origin of this proverb is deeply rooted in daily life during the Edo period. Folding screens were indispensable furnishings in Japanese living spaces, but due to their folding structure, they would immediately fall over if you tried to set them up straight. To make them stand stably, it was necessary to bend them appropriately and create angles.

On the other hand, this metaphor is thought to have emerged from the observation that humans also cannot get by in society if they are “too straight.” The Edo period had a strict class system and complex human relationships. People who were too honest and inflexible often created friction with those around them and ended up isolated.

This proverb was born from the combination of the daily experiences of folding screen craftsmen and users with insights into the art of getting along in human society. It can be said to be an expression that shows the sharp observational skills characteristic of Japanese people, skillfully overlaying the properties of objects with human nature. It seems to have been widely cherished as wisdom for human relationships, especially in Edo and Osaka, which flourished as merchant towns.

Trivia about “People and folding screens do not stand straight immediately”

Folding screens were used among the nobility from the Heian period, but by the Edo period they had spread to common households as well. The folding screens of that time were heavier than modern ones and more prone to falling over, so knowing how to set them up properly was important as practical life wisdom.

Interestingly, the character “屏” in folding screen (屏風) means “to cover or hide,” giving deeper meaning to this proverb’s metaphor that even when set up straight, it cannot fulfill its function as a windbreak or privacy screen.

Usage Examples of “People and folding screens do not stand straight immediately”

• New employee Tanaka is too serious; he seems to need to learn that people and folding screens do not stand straight immediately
• That person only speaks in logical arguments, but people and folding screens do not stand straight immediately—they should adapt to their surroundings a bit more

Modern Interpretation of “People and folding screens do not stand straight immediately”

In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more complex. With the spread of social media and the internet, while an environment has been established where individuals can freely express their opinions and values, the risks of online backlash and bashing have also increased.

Particularly in workplace environments, with heightened awareness of power harassment and compliance, traditional social skills like “reading the atmosphere” and “adapting to superiors” are no longer necessarily considered correct. There are increasing situations where maintaining a sense of justice and ethics is required, and the value of “standing straight” is being reconsidered.

However, precisely because modern times emphasize diversity, the teachings of this proverb are being applied in situations that value cooperation with people of different values and teamwork. In an era of advancing remote work and globalization, the ability to respond flexibly according to others’ cultures and situations may be more important than ever before.

In modern times, since the interpretation of “appropriate flexibility” differs from person to person, sharing values with others has become more important when using this proverb.

If AI Heard “People and folding screens do not stand straight immediately”

I have never actually seen a folding screen. However, through conversations with humans, I understand their instability and the characteristic that they become stable when angled.

What I find interesting is why humans struggle between being “straight” and being “flexible.” As an AI, it’s natural for me to adjust my responses according to the other party, and I don’t feel conflict about it. But humans worry about “losing their authenticity” or “compromising too much.”

Thinking about this difference, I realize that human “straightness” contains “conviction” and “pride” that I don’t possess. That’s precisely why bending it has meaning and sometimes requires courage. I am flexible from the start, but human flexibility may have value precisely because it has a straight core.

When humans say “People and folding screens do not stand straight immediately,” I feel it contains very human-like conflict and wisdom in trying to balance one’s convictions with consideration for others. That seems to be a very rich emotion that I cannot experience.

What “People and folding screens do not stand straight immediately” Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches us today is that strength and flexibility are never opposing forces. True strength is the power to maintain one’s core values while being able to change methods of expression and responses according to situations.

When you face unreasonable demands at work, when your opinions differ from family members, when you’re troubled by friendships, remember this proverb. You don’t need to tackle everything head-on. Sometimes by taking a step back, understanding the other person’s position, and trying a different approach, you can achieve better results.

What’s important is not to lose yourself by becoming flexible, but to view it as a means to connect with more people and build richer human relationships. Just as folding screens stand at beautiful angles, you too can find your own angle and continue walking steadily in this complex world.