How to Read “Summer rooms and flounder are best at the edge”
Natsuzashiki to karei wa engawa ga yoi
Meaning of “Summer rooms and flounder are best at the edge”
This proverb is a clever wordplay using the same word “engawa” in two different ways. During hot summer days, the engawa (veranda) of a house is the most comfortable place because it catches cool breezes.
At the same time, flounder has a part near its fins also called “engawa” that is especially delicious. The proverb overlaps these two facts in a witty way.
People use this saying to point out that everything has its best part or most suitable place. It does this with humor rather than stating it plainly.
The saying enjoys the fun of how words sound while making a sharp observation about life.
Today, fewer people eat flounder engawa or cool off on traditional verandas. But the proverb teaches a universal truth: everything has its optimal part or ideal condition.
Despite its playful wordplay, it reminds us how important it is to choose the right place or state for things.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records explain where this proverb came from. But we can make interesting observations from how the words work together.
The key point is that “engawa” has two completely different meanings. One refers to the veranda in Japanese architecture. The other refers to a part of flounder meat.
This wordplay structure suggests the proverb emerged during the Edo period. People back then loved wit and clever language.
During the Edo period, common people enjoyed expressions that used wordplay. Overlapping the same sound or word with different meanings delighted listeners.
It made them slap their knees and say “I see!” This proverb reflects that culture of enjoying linguistic cleverness.
Flounder engawa became prized because flounder was treated as a luxury fish alongside halibut. As Edo-style sushi culture developed, the engawa part gained special appreciation for its unique texture and taste.
Meanwhile, the coolness of verandas in summer was deeply rooted in Japanese living wisdom. The proverb combined the excellence of these two “engawa” and spread among people.
Interesting Facts
Flounder engawa is not regular muscle but the muscle tissue that moves the fins. It contains rich collagen and has a distinctive crunchy texture.
Only a small amount can be taken from each flounder. This makes it a premium item at sushi restaurants.
Halibut engawa is more expensive and famous, but flounder engawa has also been considered delicious.
The engawa in traditional Japanese houses was more than just a passageway. It served as an important intermediate space connecting inside and outside.
In summer it let breezes through. In winter it brought in sunlight. It also functioned as a social space for chatting with neighbors.
Usage Examples
- They say summer rooms and flounder are best at the edge, and it’s true that knowing the best part of anything is important
- You know the saying summer rooms and flounder are best at the edge, right? We need to focus on the most effective points in this work too
Universal Wisdom
This proverb teaches us that everything has a “best part” or “optimal place.” This is wisdom people gained through long experience.
But knowing this as mere information is not enough. We must actually experience and taste it to understand its true value.
When you feel the coolness of the engawa during summer heat, you understand the comfort of natural breezes with your whole body.
When you taste flounder engawa, you experience firsthand why its unique texture and flavor are treasured. Some kinds of “goodness” cannot be explained in words alone.
What makes this proverb more interesting is its wordplay form. The same word “engawa” means “the best” in two completely different contexts.
This might suggest that life’s truths cannot be grasped from just one perspective either.
Our ancestors did not pass down lessons in a stiff, formal way. They embedded deep wisdom in witty expressions.
This shows their view that life’s truths should not be forced on people. Instead, they should be discovered with enjoyment.
The ability to see the essence of things and the mental space to enjoy it. This proverb still speaks to us about the importance of having both.
When AI Hears This
From a thermodynamics perspective, the engawa has an extremely excellent structure as a “heat escape route.” Both summer rooms and flounder are objects that need cooling.
The key principle here is that heat naturally moves to places with temperature differences.
The cleverness of the engawa lies in securing heat release paths in three directions. When you place a room on an indoor floor, heat only escapes in one direction through the floor surface.
But on the engawa, heat disperses in three directions: the open space above, wind from the sides, and below the floor. This dramatically increases heat release efficiency per surface area.
In physics, this is called “heat flux.” It means more heat can escape in the same amount of time.
Flat fish like flounder are particularly interesting examples. Their large surface area means they gain heat easily but also cool easily.
When placed on the engawa, air flows over both the top and bottom surfaces. Evaporative cooling can also be utilized.
When moisture evaporates, it takes heat from the surroundings. This becomes a natural cooling device.
From an entropy perspective, open spaces can disperse heat, which is disordered energy, faster than enclosed spaces. The engawa was wisdom born from Japanese architecture that maximally utilized natural thermodynamic laws.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people the importance of developing an eye for identifying the “best parts” of things.
Rather than treating everything equally, understanding where to focus and what parts truly hold value is key to using limited time and energy effectively.
Whether in work, study, or relationships, giving full effort to everything is impossible. That is why grasping the crucial points matters so much.
This is not just about efficiency. It is also wisdom for improving life quality by truly valuing what is important.
At the same time, we should not overlook the wordplay element in this proverb. Approaching the essence of things with playfulness rather than pure seriousness can sometimes lead to deeper understanding.
Your life surely has “engawa” moments too—best places or times. Finding them, savoring them, and cherishing them may be the secret to living your limited life more richly.
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