How to Read “Lacquer may peel off, but the base wood does not”
urushi wa hagetemo kiji wa hagenu
Meaning of “Lacquer may peel off, but the base wood does not”
This proverb means that surface decorations and appearances may fade away, but essential value and quality remain unchanged.
People can be adorned with appearances, titles, and possessions. But these things may be lost over time.
However, a person’s true character, education, and inner qualities never disappear, even when outer decorations fall away.
This proverb is used to encourage people facing difficult situations. It’s also used to teach the importance of seeing essence rather than appearance.
For example, it shows that even someone who has lost status or wealth still has the humanity and abilities they’ve cultivated.
Modern society tends to value superficial things like social media appearances and titles. But this proverb teaches us that what truly matters is not looks, but the essential value within a person.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records of this proverb’s origin remain. However, we can make interesting observations from the words themselves.
Lacquer is a natural coating that has been used in Japan since ancient times. Lacquerware has been made since the Jomon period and developed as a craft representing Japanese culture.
Lacquer is applied in layers to materials like wood or cloth. This gives them beautiful luster and durability.
However, even carefully applied lacquer can peel off over years of use or from strong impacts.
“Kiji” (base wood) refers to the material itself before lacquer is applied. For wood, it’s the beauty of the grain. For cloth, it’s the quality of the weave. For pottery, it’s the nature of the clay.
This proverb likely originated in the world of lacquerware craftsmen. Through daily work, artisans deeply understood the difference between surface beauty and material quality.
No matter how beautifully lacquer is applied, poor base material won’t make a good piece. Conversely, with quality material, the value remains even if the surface lacquer peels off.
This craftsman’s wisdom probably spread as a proverb about human nature.
Interesting Facts
There’s a lacquerware repair technique called “kintsugi” (golden joinery). This method bonds broken or chipped lacquerware with lacquer and decorates it with gold powder.
Interestingly, this isn’t just repair. Rather than hiding damage, it makes it beautiful, recognizing the object’s history as valuable.
The idea of creating new beauty by embracing surface damage connects to the spirit of this proverb.
Lacquer requires many processes from sap collection to usability, including refining and stirring. More layers create deeper color and luster.
But without proper base treatment, no amount of top coating produces a beautiful finish. As craftsmen say, “the base is eighty percent.” The quality of invisible parts determines the work’s value.
Usage Examples
- He lost his company, but with the honesty he’d built over years, “Lacquer may peel off, but the base wood does not”—he quickly regained trust
- Even without wearing brand names, “Lacquer may peel off, but the base wood does not”—your true charm doesn’t change
Universal Wisdom
This proverb has been passed down because humans have always struggled with and been confused by the difference between surface and essence.
We all have desires to look beautiful and appear respectable. That’s why we dress well, seek titles, and try to build wealth.
These things aren’t bad in themselves. But throughout human history, we’ve repeatedly seen people who relied only on surface decoration collapse with nothing left when they lost it.
On the other hand, some people remain unshaken when facing difficulties. People who continue to be respected after losing position. People who are trusted after losing wealth. People who are loved beyond the decline of appearance.
What these people share is inner value cultivated over long periods.
This proverb conveys a truth our ancestors understood. Truly valuable things can’t be made overnight and aren’t easily lost.
Decorating the surface is relatively easy, but polishing essence requires time and effort. Yet that’s precisely why essential value is lasting.
People are easily deceived by appearances. But we also have the power to recognize what’s genuine.
This proverb continues teaching across time the importance of understanding the difference between superficial beauty and essential value, and cherishing the latter.
When AI Hears This
When lacquerware is damaged, only the lacquer layer peels off without reaching the wood. This is a typical example of “interfacial fracture” in materials engineering.
The boundary where two different materials meet has weaker bonding than within either material. The adhesion energy between lacquer and wood is about 50-100 mJ/m², but the bonding energy between wood fibers reaches several hundred mJ/m².
Energetically speaking, peeling at the interface is overwhelmingly “easier.”
The crack propagation mechanism is even more interesting. When external force is applied, micro-cracks form in the hard lacquer layer.
As these cracks advance, they follow the principle of minimum energy, always choosing the “weakest path.” Breaking through wood fibers requires large energy, but sliding along the lacquer-wood interface requires less.
Consequently, cracks automatically spread along the interface, and only the lacquer peels off.
This phenomenon is observed in all coating technologies like painting and plating. Surface treatment always peels before the base material breaks.
This isn’t coincidence but a physical law in joining dissimilar materials. Perhaps the same natural principle of “weaker bonds breaking first” applies to human relationships, where appearance and titles change but essence remains.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches you the importance of investing in your true self.
We live daily worrying about social media appearances and how others see us. But such superficial things are easily lost when circumstances change.
Follower counts, current status, and possessions aren’t eternal.
So what should you spend time on? Enriching your inner self. Reading books to deepen thinking. Polishing humanity through sincere relationships. Building mental strength by overcoming difficulties.
These invisible treasures will support you in any situation.
Especially for younger generations, don’t rush. You can decorate the surface later. But polishing essence takes time.
What seems plain now becomes your unshakable foundation through daily accumulation.
You may feel anxious comparing yourself to others. But the proof that you’ve lived honestly is surely engraved within you.
That’s your unique treasure that will never peel away.
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