How to Read “When one mountain is cloudy, the other mountain is sunny”
Katayama kumoreba katayama hideru
Meaning of “When one mountain is cloudy, the other mountain is sunny”
“When one mountain is cloudy, the other mountain is sunny” is a proverb that means the world is constantly changing. When bad things happen, good things will surely come too.
It compares life’s ups and downs to a natural principle. When one slope of a mountain is cloudy and dark, the other slope is bathed in sunlight.
People use this proverb to encourage someone facing difficult situations. It also helps us motivate ourselves not to lose hope during hard times.
The proverb carries a positive message. Even when the current situation is painful and difficult, it won’t last forever. Things will definitely change for the better.
Even today, this saying supports us in many situations. When we fail at work, struggle with relationships, or things don’t go as planned, it reminds us of an important truth.
Change is the natural way of the world. The current state will not continue forever.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records remain about the origin of this proverb. However, we can make interesting observations from how the phrase is constructed.
“Katayama” means one slope of a mountain. Mountains always have multiple faces. Sunlight cannot illuminate all faces at once.
When one slope is in shadow, the opposite slope is always in sunlight. This expression describes a simple natural phenomenon.
The birth of this expression likely reflects Japanese people’s keen observation of nature. Japan has many mountainous areas. People have lived their lives gazing at mountains every day.
When the morning sun rises, the eastern mountain slopes shine. When the evening sun sets, the western mountains turn red.
Even on cloudy days, light breaking through the clouds illuminates some mountains while leaving others in shadow. People must have witnessed this scene many times.
The wisdom of this proverb lies in connecting this natural phenomenon to life’s ups and downs. Just as mountain slopes take turns bathing in sunlight, good times and bad times visit our lives alternately.
This simple observation of nature reveals a profound truth. This expression contains deep insight unique to Japanese people. They lived in an agricultural society, existing in harmony with weather and natural rhythms.
Usage Examples
- The long recession is finally ending. This is truly “When one mountain is cloudy, the other mountain is sunny.”
- Things are hard now, but they say “When one mountain is cloudy, the other mountain is sunny.” Good things must be waiting ahead.
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “When one mountain is cloudy, the other mountain is sunny” contains an answer to a fundamental question. That question is: “Why doesn’t suffering last forever?”
Everyone feels fear when in the midst of difficulty. We fear this state might continue forever. Our vision narrows, and we can only see our current suffering.
However, our ancestors observed the natural world. Through this, they understood that change is the essence of the world.
Just as mountain slopes take turns bathing in sunlight, life has a rhythm. This isn’t simple optimism. It’s the way the world actually works.
Everything moves, flows, and continues to change. Even things that appear still are actually in the process of changing.
This proverb has been passed down for generations for a reason. Humans instinctively need hope. If we can maintain trust in change even in despair, we can survive.
Our ancestors learned truth from nature, the great teacher. They condensed this truth into these simple words and passed it to future generations.
This is a message of deep love and encouragement for humanity. It remains unchanged in any era.
When AI Hears This
When hearing this proverb, people tend to think one side being cloudy makes the other side sunny. They assume someone’s misfortune becomes someone else’s happiness.
But considering actual weather phenomena, the weather on two mountains is determined by separate pressure systems and wind patterns. One side being cloudy doesn’t cause the other side to be sunny.
This reveals the “zero-sum thinking trap” that humans easily fall into.
In game theory, situations where one person’s gain is always another person’s loss are called zero-sum games. However, research shows humans instinctively perceive situations as zero-sum even when they’re not.
For example, people think more immigrants means fewer jobs for citizens. Or they feel someone else’s promotion as their own loss.
But in reality, the economic pie isn’t fixed. When people cooperate, everyone’s benefits often increase.
The essence of this proverb is that the weather on two mountains is independent. Both could be sunny, or both could be cloudy.
We simply create a story of “competing for limited sunlight” in our minds. Many real-world problems are the same. Someone’s success doesn’t automatically mean someone else’s failure.
Recognizing this illusion is the first step from conflict to cooperation.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people the importance of “the power to wait.” Modern society strongly demands immediate results. When results don’t come quickly, we feel anxious and desperate.
However, change needs time.
What matters is not giving up completely even in bad situations. If today is cloudy, tomorrow might be sunny. Maybe next week, maybe next month.
But change will definitely come. We need an attitude that trusts in this change and continues doing what we can.
This proverb also gives an important lesson in the opposite sense. When things are going well, we should remember it won’t last forever.
If we stay humble during good times and prepare for the next change, we can ride life’s waves skillfully.
Whatever situation you’re in now, it’s just one scene in your long life journey. Like light hitting a mountain slope, a moment when light shines on your life will surely come.
Believe in that day and live today with care.
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