People Who Ride In Palanquins, People Who Carry Them, And People Who Make The Straw Sandals: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “People who ride in palanquins, people who carry them, and people who make the straw sandals”

Kago ni noru hito, katsugu hito, sono mata waraji wo tsukuru hito

Meaning of “People who ride in palanquins, people who carry them, and people who make the straw sandals”

This proverb means that society has many different roles. Each role is important and they all support each other.

The three groups—people who ride in palanquins, people who carry them, and people who make the straw sandals—seem completely different at first glance. Their positions and work are not the same at all.

But society cannot function smoothly if any of these roles is missing. This proverb teaches us that both visible and invisible jobs are essential elements that support society.

Today, people use this saying to explain harmony in organizations and society. For example, companies have executives, frontline employees, and administrative staff who support them. This proverb helps express that every single person is indispensable.

It also serves as a warning against looking down on your own role or dismissing other people’s work. The expression reminds us how important it is to do your best in your position and to respect each other.

Origin and Etymology

No clear written record explains the exact origin of this proverb. However, it likely came from the social class system and transportation methods of the Edo period.

Palanquins were a major form of transportation during the Edo period. People of high status like samurai and wealthy merchants rode in palanquins. Workers called palanquin bearers carried them.

And there were craftsmen who made the straw sandals that these bearers wore. Behind the simple act of a palanquin moving, many people in different positions were involved.

What’s interesting is that this proverb doesn’t just show social hierarchy. Instead, it expresses mutual dependence. Without people to ride in palanquins, bearers would have no work.

Without bearers, palanquins couldn’t move. And without people making straw sandals, the bearers couldn’t do their jobs.

This expression came from the wisdom of Edo period people observing how society works. Some roles seem prominent while others seem invisible. But the insight here is that all roles are actually essential.

Even in an era with a strict class system, our ancestors understood the essence of mutual dependence. Their perspective shows a deep understanding of society.

Interesting Facts

Palanquin bearers in the Edo period walked about 40 kilometers per day. Straw sandals were consumable items. A single pair sometimes wouldn’t even last one day.

Because of this, making straw sandals was a high-demand profession. Bearers always carried spare sandals with them. This shows how important the role of sandal makers really was.

There were many types of palanquins. The most prestigious was the “gosho-kago” used by nobility. The simplest was the “machi-kago” used by common people. They were chosen based on purpose and social status.

The number of bearers also varied. Some palanquins needed two people to carry them. Others needed four or even six for large ones. Each type had its own specialized group of craftsmen.

Usage Examples

• This company succeeds because people who ride in palanquins, people who carry them, and people who make the straw sandals—everyone fulfills their role
• We should thank the cleaning staff. As they say, people who ride in palanquins, people who carry them, and people who make the straw sandals—every job is necessary for society

Universal Wisdom

This proverb has been passed down through generations because it perfectly captures the fundamental structure of human society.

Everyone has a tendency to compare their position and role with others. We might envy people doing prominent work. Or we might feel proud of our own jobs.

But this proverb teaches us an important truth. Society cannot exist with just one person.

Even if there are people to ride in palanquins, the palanquin won’t move without anyone else. Even with people to carry it, they can’t go far without straw sandals.

This isn’t just about division of labor. It shows the universal truth of human interdependence. Every one of us is supported by someone and supports someone else at the same time.

What’s fascinating is that this proverb doesn’t rank people. It doesn’t say “people who ride in palanquins are superior” or “people who make straw sandals are superior.”

It simply states that each exists and each is necessary. This equal perspective is the deep human understanding this proverb holds.

Humans have a desire to have their value recognized. At the same time, we have a conscience that wants to recognize others’ value too. This proverb satisfies both of these needs.

Your role is neither above nor below anyone else’s role. It’s simply irreplaceable.

When AI Hears This

Network theory has a paradox. Nodes that receive less attention are often the ones that create critical vulnerabilities in a system. Consider the palanquin as a transportation system.

The relationship between riders and carriers is visible. But without people making straw sandals, the carriers can’t even walk. This proverb shows a three-layer network structure. The most distant end node is actually the condition for the entire system to operate.

Modern supply chain research calls this structure a “hidden single point of failure.” For example, during the 2021 semiconductor shortage, downstream companies like automakers got attention.

But the real problem was the specialized gas suppliers—only a few companies existed. Nodes with fewer connections that seem less prominent are the hardest to replace when they stop working.

What’s interesting is that this proverb explicitly mentions sandal makers. This suggests the importance of network visualization. Modern companies know their direct first-tier suppliers.

But they can’t see the second and third-tier suppliers beyond that. There’s a method called “network mapping” that charts entire system dependencies. People in the Edo period understood this necessity through experience.

By mentioning people who make straw sandals—a consumable item—the proverb points out the vulnerability of nodes that need continuous replenishment. It’s not something you make once and you’re done.

The parts that must be constantly supplied to keep the system running are the dependencies we should pay most attention to.

Lessons for Today

This proverb teaches you the importance of fulfilling your role with pride.

In modern society, we tend to compare ourselves with others. We see someone’s glamorous life on social media and feel down. Our own work feels plain and boring.

But try changing your perspective a little. The work you’re doing now and the role you’re playing definitely support someone’s life.

Cashier work, data entry work, cleaning work—all of these are needed within the large mechanism called society. There are definitely people who would be troubled without you.

It’s not just people who ride in palanquins who have value. People who make straw sandals have equal value.

What matters is not looking down on your own role. And not dismissing other people’s roles. We live by supporting each other.

The work you carefully completed today might connect to someone’s smile tomorrow. Each person doing their best at what they can in their own place—this accumulation creates a better society.