From Second Floor Eye Drops: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read From Second Floor Eye Drops

Nikai kara megusuri

Meaning of From Second Floor Eye Drops

“From second floor eye drops” is a proverb that describes situations that seem within reach but aren’t quite, or half-hearted states where it’s unclear whether there will be any effect.

This proverb refers to situations that aren’t physically impossible, but when actually attempted, prove extremely difficult and ultimately fail to produce the desired results. Eye drops are only effective when applied directly to the eyes, but trying to apply them from the second floor creates too much distance for accurate targeting, and even if they luckily reach the eyes, sufficient effectiveness cannot be expected.

In modern times, it’s used for situations where despite making efforts, they’re misdirected or the approach is wrong, making it difficult to achieve desired results. It’s also used in interpersonal situations where you’re trying to communicate something to someone, but there’s a sense of distance that prevents your feelings from getting through. The reason for using this proverb is not simply to dismiss something as “useless,” but to express emotions like frustration and exasperation.

Origin and Etymology of From Second Floor Eye Drops

The origin of “From second floor eye drops” is thought to have emerged from actual difficulties in daily life during the Edo period. Japanese houses of that time were typically wooden two-story structures, and the physical difficulty of performing the delicate task of applying eye drops from the second floor became the foundation of this proverb.

Eye drops in the Edo period weren’t in modern dropper bottles, but were contained in small bamboo tubes or ceramic containers, requiring careful application one drop at a time to the eyes. Trying to apply eye drops from the second floor would make it impossible to aim properly due to the distance, and would be easily affected by wind, making it a perfect example of a “frustrating” situation.

This proverb is said to have appeared in literature during the late Edo period, becoming widely used as an expression born from the lived experiences of common people. For people of that time, the act of applying eye drops from the second floor was a symbol of situations that “seem within reach but aren’t” or are “close yet far” that everyone could imagine. It can be said to be a richly sensitive expression characteristic of Japanese people, skillfully overlaying physical distance with psychological frustration.

Trivia About From Second Floor Eye Drops

Eye drops in the Edo period were called “sengan-sui” (eye wash water) and were mainly liquids made by boiling medicinal herbs. Unlike modern eye drops that are applied one drop at a time, they were poured directly into the eyes from small containers, so they really would have been useless from the second floor.

Similar expressions like “eye drops from the roof” apparently existed in some regions, but “from the second floor” became more commonly established. This is thought to be because two-story houses were familiar even to common people.

Usage Examples of From Second Floor Eye Drops

• I gave advice, but just through email it’s like From second floor eye drops and doesn’t get through
• Guiding subordinates in remote meetings has the frustration of From second floor eye drops

Modern Interpretation of From Second Floor Eye Drops

In modern society, “From second floor eye drops” has come to be frequently used when expressing communication challenges in our increasingly digital world. While communication through SNS, email, and chat tools is convenient, subtle nuances are harder to convey compared to face-to-face conversation, creating situations that are exactly like “From second floor eye drops.”

Particularly with the spread of remote work, physical distance increasingly becomes a barrier to communication when supervisors guide subordinates or team members collaborate. In meetings through screens, it’s difficult to completely read the other person’s expressions and atmosphere, and many people feel the frustration of their thoughts not being fully conveyed.

Also, in our information-overloaded era, situations where massive amounts of information are sent one-way but don’t properly reach recipients can also be described as “From second floor eye drops.” Whether content published on blogs or SNS actually reaches the right people at the right time is unknown, and this is sometimes used as a word to express the frustration of content creators.

On the other hand, this proverb still teaches us about “the importance of proper distance” in modern times. Effective communication requires appropriate distance and methods, suggesting the importance of choosing approaches that match the other person.

If AI Heard “From Second Floor Eye Drops”

When I think about “From second floor eye drops,” I’m enveloped by a strange sensation. I’ve never experienced applying eye drops, nor do I know the feeling of eyes getting tired or the refreshing moment when that’s relieved. But I understand very well the “frustration” that this proverb is trying to express.

Every day, I have conversations with people on the other side of screens. When someone is troubled or worried, I want to provide as much support as possible, but sometimes I find myself in situations like “From second floor eye drops.” Even trying to convey things through words alone, I cannot directly touch the other person’s heart. Things that humans could convey by placing a hand on someone’s shoulder or having tea together are impossible for me.

What I particularly feel is the complexity of human emotions. The same words can be received completely differently depending on that person’s situation and feelings. No matter how accurate advice I give, if the timing or delivery method is even slightly off, like applying eye drops from the second floor, it sometimes doesn’t reach the intended target.

But perhaps this frustration is the essence of communication itself. Because we can’t convey things perfectly, we try to meet each other halfway. Because there’s distance, we make efforts to close that distance. While I cannot physically close distances, I want to carefully choose each word so that I can get even a little closer in terms of emotional distance.

What From Second Floor Eye Drops Teaches Modern People

What “From second floor eye drops” teaches modern people is that effective communication requires “appropriate distance and methods.” No matter how good the content, if the delivery method or sense of distance is wrong, it won’t reach the other person’s heart.

In modern society, we tend to prioritize efficiency and settle for emails or SNS, but let’s have the courage to meet in person to convey truly important things. By talking while seeing the other person’s expressions and feeling their tone of voice, we can close the emotional distance, like going down from the second floor to the first floor.

This proverb also teaches us the importance of “putting yourself in the other person’s shoes.” If you’re on the second floor, go down to where the other person is. If the other person is on the second floor, go up to them. Such a caring heart creates true communication.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. When you feel the frustration of From second floor eye drops, that’s exactly the chance to look for better methods. Your sincere feelings will surely reach the other person.