How to Read “A silk tree is a pagoda tree”
Nemu no ki wa enju no ki
Meaning of “A silk tree is a pagoda tree”
This proverb describes relationships between people who are fundamentally different, like silk trees and pagoda trees. These differences are so deep that the two can never truly meet or understand each other.
It refers to people whose essential natures are incompatible. No matter how hard they try, they cannot bridge the gap between them.
People use this expression when explaining relationships between those with vastly different values or ways of thinking. It also describes situations where attempts to compromise will only end in wasted effort.
The reason for using this expression is to emphasize something stronger than just “not getting along.” It highlights that the difference is fundamental and unchangeable, like the nature of different trees.
Even today, such situations exist everywhere. We see them in workplace relationships and family disagreements about values.
This proverb teaches us an important lesson. Sometimes it’s better to accept differences and maintain appropriate distance rather than force harmony.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records explain the origin of this proverb. However, it likely came from observing the contrasting natures of these two trees.
The silk tree closes its leaves at night, as if going to sleep. People also call it the “sleeping tree” because of this behavior.
It has a delicate and soft appearance. In summer, it blooms with pale pink, thread-like flowers that give it a fragile beauty.
The pagoda tree, on the other hand, originated in China. It’s a sturdy tree that has long symbolized authority and prestige.
In China, people called high government positions “pagoda tree ranks.” This shows how much they respected this tree.
These two trees are completely different in appearance and nature. The silk tree is soft while the pagoda tree is solid. One is delicate, the other powerful.
The contrast between them is striking. Ancient people noticed that these trees could never share the same qualities.
They saw in this natural fact a truth about human relationships. This proverb shows the Japanese sensitivity of finding social wisdom through observing nature.
Interesting Facts
The silk tree’s name means “joining happiness together.” It has actually been a symbol of marital harmony.
People thought its leaves closing at night looked like a couple nestling together. This is why it received such an auspicious name.
The pagoda tree’s name contains a character meaning “demon.” Because of this, people believed it had the power to ward off evil spirits.
It’s fascinating that both are trees, yet one symbolizes soft affection while the other represents strong protection. They carry completely opposite meanings.
During China’s Zhou Dynasty, three pagoda trees were planted in the palace courtyard. The three highest ministers conducted government business under them.
Because of this story, “pagoda gate” became a term for the homes of high officials. The pagoda tree became firmly established as a symbol of authority and prestige.
In Japan, Sugawara no Michizane is known as the god of learning. He reportedly loved pagoda trees, and they were treated as trees of high status.
Usage Examples
- Those two are like “a silk tree is a pagoda tree” – no matter how hard they try, they’ll never understand each other
- He chases ideals while I’m a realist – we’re like “a silk tree is a pagoda tree,” so working together is difficult
Universal Wisdom
This proverb has been passed down because it contains deep insight about human relationships. We often want to believe that with enough effort, we can understand everyone.
But our ancestors saw the reality. Sometimes there are gaps that cannot be bridged, no matter how much we try to meet halfway.
A person’s essential nature is shaped by their upbringing, experiences, and values. Like the nature of trees, it doesn’t change easily.
Just as you cannot ask a silk tree to become a pagoda tree, people with fundamentally different natures cannot completely align with each other.
The true wisdom of this proverb is not about giving up. Rather, it teaches the importance of accepting differences.
Unreasonable efforts to deeply understand everyone will only exhaust both sides. It’s natural that some people don’t match with us, and it’s nobody’s fault.
Since humans first formed societies, this “incompatibility” has always existed. That’s why we need wisdom to coexist while maintaining appropriate distance, rather than forcing harmony.
Accepting differences might be the first step toward mature human relationships.
When AI Hears This
The human brain doesn’t do perfect matching when recognizing things. It actually makes quick judgments by comparing with prototypes – typical examples of “roughly like this.”
People confuse silk trees and pagoda trees because both share common features. They’re “tall trees with pinnate compound leaves that bloom in summer.”
The brain judges them as “the same category” based on these rough feature patterns before checking the details.
What’s interesting is that this recognition error is a tradeoff with efficiency. If we tried to perfectly identify every tree, we’d need to check leaf count, bark texture, and flower structure one by one.
But the brain doesn’t do such time-consuming work. It compares with images of “typical trees” seen before and judges instantly. The accuracy drops, but processing speed increases dramatically.
AI image recognition faces the same problem. Cases where it mistakes chihuahuas for muffins or turtles for guns result from being misled by “matching surface feature patterns.”
In medical settings too, doctors sometimes misdiagnose by fitting patient symptoms into “common disease patterns.” This cognitive mechanism explains these cases.
In other words, confusing silk trees and pagoda trees shows a fundamental property of human recognition systems. It demonstrates the compromise between speed and accuracy.
Evolution chose quick judgment over perfect identification ability. This evolutionary choice creates these mistakes.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people a liberating message. You don’t need to deeply understand everyone.
In today’s society with developed social media, we can connect with anyone. But this creates pressure to build good relationships with everyone.
However, just as a silk tree doesn’t need to become a pagoda tree, you don’t need to force yourself to match others.
It’s natural that some people have fundamentally different values from yours. What matters is finding appropriate distance after recognizing those differences.
At work or in private life, don’t try to become close with everyone. Instead, focus your time and energy on truly important relationships.
With people who don’t match, maintain minimally polite relationships. Building selective human connections like this might be wisdom for living in modern times.
Recognizing differences doesn’t mean rejecting others. Rather, it means respecting each other’s individuality.
This proverb shows us a path to living comfortably amid diversity, without seeking forced harmony.
Comments