How to Read “十人寄れば十色”
Jūnin yoreba tōiro
Meaning of “十人寄れば十色”
“Ten people gather then ten colors” is a proverb that expresses how when people come together, each person possesses diverse and different personalities, ways of thinking, and values.
This proverb is used as an expression that positively embraces human diversity. Just as when ten people gather there are ten different colors, it means that each person has their own unique personality and opinions. It is used when opinions differ in meetings or discussions, when various ideas emerge in group activities, or when people have different impressions of the same event.
The reason for using this expression is to express the tolerant spirit of Japanese people who accept diversity not negatively, but rather as something natural and normal. It embodies a positive view of humanity that says “it’s natural for everyone to be different” and “each person has their own good qualities.” Even in modern times, while the importance of teamwork is emphasized, in an era where respect for individuality is also valued, this proverb is understood as words that teach us “the importance of acknowledging differences.”
Origin and Etymology
When exploring the origins of “Ten people gather then ten colors,” the exact source is actually unclear, but interesting insights emerge from the structure of this proverb.
The expression “ten colors” has been used in Japan since ancient times as a word representing “diversity.” Even in Heian period literature, expressions like “ten-colored clouds” and “ten-colored flowers” can be found, and it was cherished as a beautiful word meaning “many types” or “various differences.”
On the other hand, the number “ten people” was also not simply meaning 10 people, but was an idiomatic expression representing “many people.” While there is a similar proverb “ten people, ten colors,” “Ten people gather then ten colors” focuses more specifically on the situation “when people come together.”
This proverb is thought to have become widely used during the Edo period. The historical background of commerce developing and people of various social classes and occupations interacting in towns likely gave birth to this proverb based on human observation.
The expression “gather” is also important, as it includes not just the meaning of “come together” but the nuance of “naturally gathering” or “gathering as if drawn together.” This is a proverb that expresses the beauty of diversity born when people gather, with the delicate sensibility characteristic of Japanese people.
Interesting Facts
The expression “ten colors” was actually a beautiful expression in ancient Japanese that represented not just colors but “qualities” and “types.” It is said that Heian period nobles enjoyed color coordination of kimono, calling it “the beauty of ten colors.”
Interestingly, the number “ten” in this proverb may have been influenced by Buddhism. In Buddhism, “ten” is considered a number representing completeness, and is used in many Buddhist terms such as “ten directions” and “ten virtues.”
Usage Examples
- Completely different ideas came from the project team members, but it’s interesting because ten people gather then ten colors.
- Even watching the same movie, everyone’s impressions were different, and I thought it was truly ten people gather then ten colors.
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Ten people gather then ten colors” has acquired new depths of meaning. With the development of SNS and online communities, we now have far more opportunities to encounter diverse values than before. Looking at comment sections for the same news, you can truly experience “ten people gather then ten colors.”
However, this diversity sometimes becomes a cause of division. In the information society, it’s easy to connect only with people who think similarly to us, creating what’s called the “echo chamber phenomenon.” The “tolerance to accept differences” that the original proverb possesses has become even more important in modern times.
In the modern era of advancing globalization, we need to understand true “ten colors” including differences in nationality, culture, and religion. Now that remote work has spread and opportunities to collaborate with people around the world have increased, this proverb is being reevaluated as wisdom for accepting cultural diversity, beyond mere differences in personality.
Also, with the development of AI technology, we’ve entered an era where the value of human creativity and individuality receives more attention. In modern times where innovation born from diverse perspectives rather than uniform answers is sought, the spirit of “Ten people gather then ten colors” has become an important guideline in organizational management and educational settings.
When AI Hears This
The expression “ten people, ten colors” contains a fascinating contradiction between mathematical constraints and psychological infinity. If interpreted literally, it suggests only 10 colors for 10 people, yet in reality, human individuality exists in infinite variations. This numerical limitation reveals the essential message of this proverb.
Cognitive psychology recognizes a phenomenon called “categorization bias.” To streamline information processing, the human brain tends to classify complex personalities into limited categories like “quiet person” or “outgoing person.” According to research by psychologist Gordon Allport, people typically try to understand others using an average of 7±2 characteristics when evaluating them.
The number “ten” in “ten people, ten colors” represents precisely this cognitive limitation. While we unconsciously perceive others through a restricted palette of “colors,” each person is actually a complex being with countless hues. This proverb isn’t simply stating the fact that “people are all different”—it’s urging a cognitive shift toward “developing eyes that notice differences.”
In essence, “ten people, ten colors” isn’t proof of diversity’s existence, but rather a challenge to our perceptual abilities. Through this mathematical constraint, it teaches us the importance of cultivating the sensitivity to discover the “true colors” of people we encounter in daily life.
Lessons for Today
What “Ten people gather then ten colors” teaches us modern people is the importance of not fearing differences, but rather accepting them as richness.
Whether at work or at home, when differences of opinion arise, we tend to think “why don’t they understand?” But remember this proverb. It’s natural to be different. Those very differences become the source of new ideas and solutions.
In modern society, skills to utilize diversity are becoming increasingly important. The ability to think from others’ perspectives, the ability to constructively discuss different opinions, and above all, having the composure to “enjoy differences” are required.
Why don’t you start being conscious of the different “colors” of people around you from today? A colleague’s unexpected side, a friend’s new perspective, a family member’s surprising impression. All of these are treasures that enrich your world.
A society that can acknowledge the beauty of ten people, ten colors is a society where everyone can live comfortably. True understanding and cooperation begin with accepting differences.
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