How to Read “他山の石”
Tazan no ishi
Meaning of “他山の石”
“Other mountain’s stone” means using other people’s mistaken words, actions, or failures as lessons or warnings to correct one’s own behavior.
The essence of this proverb lies in taking other people’s mistakes or shortcomings that may seem unrelated to oneself at first glance, reflecting on oneself upon seeing them, and acting carefully to avoid making the same mistakes. Rather than simply criticizing others’ failures, it represents an attitude of learning from them and connecting that learning to one’s own growth.
It is used in situations such as when seeing a colleague’s work mistake, learning about a friend’s relationship troubles, or hearing news of corporate scandals, in the form of “Let’s take this as Other mountain’s stone.” The reason for using this expression is to show a positive attitude of treating others’ failures as one’s own concern and humbly trying to learn from them. Even in modern times, this teaching is understood as an important way of thinking in self-development and organizational management.
Origin and Etymology
“Other mountain’s stone” originates from a poem included in “Xiaoya” of the ancient Chinese classic “Book of Songs.” The original text reads “他山之石、可以攻玉” (stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade), which was transmitted to Japan and became the current form.
The background of this poem lies in ancient Chinese jade processing techniques. At that time, to polish beautiful jade, hard stones brought from other mountains were used as whetstones. Even seemingly worthless rough stones became important tools for beautifully finishing precious jade.
The “Book of Songs” is China’s oldest collection of poetry, gathering poems from around the 11th to 6th centuries BCE, and Confucius is said to have been involved in its compilation. Within this collection, the poem about “Other mountain’s stone” was sung as a lesson for wise rulers. In other words, it was a political teaching that even seemingly insignificant events or people from other countries could be used as reference or warnings when governing one’s own country.
It was transmitted to Japan along with Chinese classics from the Nara to Heian periods and eventually became established as a common proverb. Over time, it departed from its political context and came to be cherished as a teaching about self-improvement in a broader sense.
Interesting Facts
The “Book of Songs,” which is the original source of “Other mountain’s stone,” is actually one of the highest-ranking classics called “canonical books” in China. Confucius valued it so highly that he said, “The three hundred poems can be covered in one phrase: ‘no evil thoughts,'” and it was also a required subject for the imperial examination system.
Interestingly, the “stones from other mountains” used to polish jade were actually quartz or sandstone with higher hardness than jadeite. In ancient China, polishing techniques utilizing this difference in hardness were highly developed, and methods essentially the same as modern gemstone processing principles were employed.
Usage Examples
- Let’s take that company’s information leak incident as Other mountain’s stone and review our information management as well
- Taking my friend’s job change failure story as Other mountain’s stone, I decided to proceed with my preparations more carefully
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the concept of “Other mountain’s stone” is deeply connected with the characteristics of the information age. Through social media and news, we encounter countless examples of others’ failures and successes daily. Corporate scandals, celebrity scandals, personal anecdotes from people close to us – we have more opportunities than ever to encounter “Other mountain’s stone.”
Particularly in the business world, this way of thinking is highly valued. Case studies that analyze other companies’ failure cases and apply them to one’s own risk management have become fundamental to business strategy. At the individual level as well, a culture of learning from others’ experiences has taken root, such as through career change testimonials on job sites or investment failure stories.
However, in modern times, we also see usage that differs from the original meaning. It is sometimes used to mean “a good example that serves as reference,” but this is incorrect usage. Originally, it means “learning from failures or shortcomings,” and it is not used for success stories.
On the other hand, precisely because we live in an age of information overload, the value of this teaching is being rerecognized. The attitude of connecting others’ failures to one’s own growth, rather than consuming them merely as entertainment, has become even more important. Having both critical thinking skills and humility has become a quality required of modern people.
When AI Hears This
Few proverbs demonstrate the dramatic meaning shifts caused by cultural transfer as clearly as “tazan no ishi” (stones from other mountains). In China’s “Book of Songs,” the original phrase “他山之石、可以攻玉” literally meant “even rough stones from other mountains can be used as whetstones to polish one’s own beautiful jade.” In other words, it represented the concept of learning from others’ failures and shortcomings as a “negative example.”
However, during its transmission to Japan, this meaning completely reversed. In modern Japan, when people say “tazan no ishi to suru” (take as stones from other mountains), they almost certainly mean “reference other good examples.” NHK’s linguistic surveys reveal that over 80% of Japanese people understand it as meaning “good role model.”
Behind this transformation lies a distinctive feature of Japan’s “learning culture.” Throughout history, Japan has emphasized “development through imitation,” actively adopting beneficial elements from China and the West. Consequently, expressions about “learning from others” naturally came to be interpreted in the positive context of “learning good things.”
Linguists call this “semantic value reversal” – an extremely rare phenomenon where a single expression takes on opposite meanings depending on cultural values. Today, the Japanese interpretation is even spreading back to China, creating a “reverse import” phenomenon driven by globalization.
Lessons for Today
“Other mountain’s stone” teaches modern people the importance of humility and eagerness to learn. We often tend to think “I’ll be fine” when we see others’ failures, but in reality, anyone has the possibility of making similar mistakes.
To apply this teaching to daily life, we first need a shift in perspective to view others’ failures not as objects of criticism, but as opportunities for learning. When we see corporate scandals in the news or learn about someone’s troubles on social media, instead of dismissing them as other people’s business, we should start by thinking “what if it were me?”
In modern society, precisely because information overflows, this attitude becomes even more important. The ability to make others’ experiences your own nourishment will become wisdom for surviving in a rapidly changing era.
Why don’t you start looking at events happening around you with new eyes from today? Hidden there should be hints that can make your life richer. By having a heart that learns from others’ failures rather than blaming them, you can become a person who can grow more yourself.
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