How to Read “Even a thief won’t pass by the gate of five daughters”
Nusumi mo go-jo no mon ni sugirazu
Meaning of “Even a thief won’t pass by the gate of five daughters”
This proverb expresses the sharp observation skills and strong vigilance of women.
It means that even a thief wouldn’t try to break into a house with five daughters. The saying highlights women’s detailed attention and their ability to notice small changes in daily life.
People use this proverb to praise women’s strict eyes and keen observation. It celebrates women’s ability to notice tiny changes in the house, shifts in object positions, and unusual atmospheres that others might miss.
Today we have security cameras and alarm systems. But this proverb shows the value of natural human vigilance and observation.
The deterrent effect of multiple watchful eyes remains relevant. Women’s particular attention to detail can still protect safety. This wisdom holds true even now.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records explain this proverb’s origin. However, the phrase structure offers interesting insights.
Let’s focus on the expression “five daughters.” In ancient Japan, women played major roles in household management.
Houses with multiple daughters had especially careful oversight. With five daughters, someone was always home to notice any unusual changes.
The classical word “sugirazu” means “won’t pass by” or “won’t approach.” Even thieves would avoid such houses.
This wasn’t just about the physical number of people. It expressed women’s particularly sharp observation skills.
This expression likely emerged from Edo period townspeople’s culture. Thieves of that era carefully observed houses before attempting crimes.
Houses with many women were probably avoided. Women’s daily conversations and behaviors showed their sensitivity to small household changes. This created a powerful crime deterrent.
Interesting Facts
The number “five” in “five daughters” has special meaning. Ancient Japan considered odd numbers lucky. “Five” held particular importance.
The five senses, five elements, five seasonal festivals—the number five represented completeness. This proverb uses “five daughters” specifically, not just “many daughters.”
This expresses a perfect state of vigilance.
Edo period thieves had their own codes and customs. They avoided unnecessary risks and chose houses where success was certain.
Avoiding houses with many women was likely part of their learned wisdom.
Usage Examples
- That house always has the wife and three daughters at home, so even a thief won’t pass by the gate of five daughters—they’ve never had a burglary
- With my mother and sisters watching, even a thief won’t pass by the gate of five daughters—I can’t hide anything without getting caught immediately
Universal Wisdom
This proverb reveals a universal truth about the deterrent power of vigilance and observation.
Humans change their behavior simply by feeling watched. Those planning wrongdoing instinctively avoid places with high detection risk.
Interestingly, this proverb emphasizes not physical force but the power of “eyes” themselves. Five women means five pairs of eyes, five perspectives, five different types of awareness.
What one person might miss, someone among several will surely notice. This layered surveillance system becomes the strongest defense.
Looking deeper, this proverb teaches about “the power of everyday life.” The women aren’t providing special security.
They simply possess the sensitivity to notice something different in daily life. This natural vigilance, this keen sense as people living their lives, becomes the power that protects the home.
Our ancestors recognized the greatness of power hidden in the everyday, not in special efforts.
In human society, watchful eyes matter immensely. They deter not just crime but all wrongdoing and misconduct.
When AI Hears This
A house with five daughters has abnormally fast information flow. Each daughter has friends and acquaintances.
If one daughter connects with 10 people, five daughters create 50 information channels. If a thief breaks in, that information spreads throughout town by the next day.
The probability and speed of crime detection increases dramatically.
Modern network science calls this “hub risk.” On the internet, attacking accounts with many followers triggers immediate mass awareness and response.
Hackers target isolated victims instead. A 2019 cybersecurity study reported that attack success rates against users with over 200 SNS connections were less than one-third those against users with under 50 connections.
More fascinating is how a five-daughter house creates deterrence through information network density alone, even without actual security equipment.
This is called the “observer effect”—crime rates drop in places with high observation probability. Dummy security cameras work as well as real ones for the same reason.
Ancient people knew from experience that houses with many daughters were safe. It wasn’t physical defensive power but an invisible shield created by social network structure.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches you about “the power of watchful presence.” What one person can’t notice, multiple eyes will surely catch.
This wisdom applies beyond home safety—to preventing workplace mistakes, community crime prevention, and stopping organizational misconduct.
Modern society debates the balance between privacy and surveillance. But this proverb shows the value of everyday attentiveness and natural watching.
Not mechanical surveillance cameras, but natural vigilance born from human relationships creates true safety.
Someone around you surely notices small details. Appreciate that presence.
At the same time, you can become watchful eyes for others. Small changes in family, colleagues’ conditions, neighborhood anomalies.
Sharpening your sensitivity to notice “something different” in daily life becomes the power that protects you and those around you.
Watching and being watched—true peace of mind exists within such relationships, doesn’t it?
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