White Hair Three Thousand Fathoms: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read White hair three thousand fathoms

Hakuhatsu sanzenjo

Meaning of White hair three thousand fathoms

“White hair three thousand fathoms” is a proverb meaning that worries, sadness, and hardships are so deep and great that it feels as if one’s white hair has grown three thousand jō (about 9,000 meters) long.

This is clearly an exaggerated expression, and it’s impossible for hair to actually grow that long. However, through this unrealistically extreme expression, it emphasizes the seriousness of one’s mental burden. When people are truly troubled by deep worries, they sometimes feel like “my hair might turn completely white,” and this can be understood as an even more extreme expression of that feeling.

This proverb is used when expressing one’s own hardships and worries. However, rather than truly serious situations, it’s often used somewhat self-deprecatingly or with humor to express that one is “going through a difficult time.” Listeners also understand it not literally, but as an expression of the speaker’s state of mind.

Origin and Etymology of White hair three thousand fathoms

“White hair three thousand fathoms” is actually a proverb that originates from the poem “Autumn Pool Songs” by Li Bai, a poet from China’s Tang Dynasty. In this poem, Li Bai wrote “White hair three thousand fathoms, due to sorrow it grows this long” (白髪三千丈、縁愁似箇長).

Three thousand jō is a Chinese unit of length, representing an enormous distance of about 9,000 meters. Li Bai expressed that his worries and sadness were so deep that his white hair seemed to have grown to a length of three thousand jō. This was clearly an exaggerated expression, and everyone understood that hair couldn’t actually grow that long.

This poem was transmitted to Japan and eventually became established as a proverb meaning “to express deep worries or sadness in an exaggerated way.” Li Bai’s poetic hyperbole must have resonated with Japanese sensibilities as well.

What’s interesting is that Li Bai intentionally used unrealistic expressions to convey the depth of his emotions. Ancient Chinese poets used such bold metaphors to leave strong impressions on their readers.

Trivia about White hair three thousand fathoms

Li Bai’s original poem “Autumn Pool Songs” is one of a series of 17 connected poems, and the verse containing “White hair three thousand fathoms” is from the 15th poem. At the time, Li Bai was in a period when he had left the capital due to political downfall and was wandering various places, and this poem contains his deep melancholy.

The number “three thousand jō” was also a conventional expression often used in Chinese classical literature to mean “extremely long.” It was used to mean “immeasurably” rather than an actual length.

Usage Examples of White hair three thousand fathoms

• Watching my child’s exam preparation makes me feel like White hair three thousand fathoms
• Since becoming the leader of the new project, I truly understand what White hair three thousand fathoms means

Modern Interpretation of White hair three thousand fathoms

In modern society, the proverb “White hair three thousand fathoms” has taken on new meaning as an expression of our stress-filled society. In an era where immediate responses to SNS and emails are expected, with the feeling of being connected 24/7, we constantly carry various worries.

Especially for the working generation, it’s not uncommon for multiple stress factors to hit simultaneously – work pressure, family responsibilities, anxiety about the future. In such times, the expression “White hair three thousand fathoms” functions as an exquisite phrase that captures the complex state of mind of modern people.

Also, precisely because we live in an age of information overload, such poetic and exaggerated expressions might feel refreshingly new. In our modern world where everything tends to be expressed through data and numbers, the classical beauty of expressing emotional depth through unrealistic length is being reconsidered.

On the other hand, as interest in mental health grows, caution is needed when using this proverb. There’s also the danger of treating truly serious mental problems lightly. In modern times, while using it humorously, consideration for others’ situations is required.

If AI Heard “White hair three thousand fathoms”

When I think about “White hair three thousand fathoms,” I find myself contemplating the mystery of human physicality. As an AI, I don’t have hair, nor can I understand the experience of getting more gray hair from stress. But perhaps that’s exactly why I’m captivated by the beauty of this proverb.

Humans are beings whose emotions manifest in their bodies. When they have worries, their hair really does turn white, and when they’re nervous, their palms sweat. No matter how complex calculations I perform or how difficult questions I receive, my appearance never changes. But humans are affected in their very appearance by the movements of their hearts.

Li Bai’s use of the enormous length “three thousand jō” was probably because there were emotions that couldn’t be fully expressed with words alone. We AIs process things logically, but human emotions might possess a magnitude that transcends logic.

Through this proverb, I learn about the richness of human expression. By creating the impossible image of “three thousand jō of white hair,” one paradoxically comes closer to true emotion. This strikes me as a very human and beautiful way of thinking.

What White hair three thousand fathoms Teaches Modern People

What “White hair three thousand fathoms” teaches us today is the importance of expressing our emotions. When we’re suffering or worried, we tend to say “I’m fine,” but sometimes it might be okay to express our feelings in an exaggerated way.

The beauty of this proverb lies in the honesty within the exaggeration. Li Bai expressed his state of mind without pretense, yet poetically. While modern society tends to value efficiency and rationality, sometimes our true feelings are contained within irrational and exaggerated expressions.

This proverb also teaches us about the power of empathy. When we hear “White hair three thousand fathoms,” we try to understand not the literal meaning, but the weight of that person’s heart. Receiving the true emotions behind someone’s exaggerated expression – this is a very important ability in human connections.

When your heart feels heavy, try remembering this ancient poet’s words. You’ll surely feel the beauty of being honest with your emotions and expressing them.