Perform Second Dance: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Perform Second Dance”

Ni no mai wo enjiru

Meaning of “Perform Second Dance”

“Perform second dance” means to suffer the same fate as someone else’s failure or misfortune, or to repeat the same kind of failure as a previous example.

This expression is used in situations where someone falls into the same kind of predicament after someone else has already failed or encountered trouble. It’s particularly used when someone ends up following the same path despite knowing about the previous failure.

As for usage scenarios, it can be applied to various fields such as business failures, relationship troubles, investment failures, and more. It’s often used in forms like “perform second dance of that company” or “I want to avoid performing second dance like my senior.”

The reason for using this expression is that rather than simply saying “failed,” it can convey feelings of regret and reflection about “following the same path despite having a precedent.” It’s also used as a warning, like “let’s be careful not to perform second dance.” Even today, it’s treasured as a very precise and easy-to-understand expression when conveying the importance of learning from past examples.

Origin and Etymology of “Perform Second Dance”

The origin of “perform second dance” lies in “bugaku,” a traditional Japanese performing art that has continued since the Heian period. Bugaku is a formal dance performed at the imperial court and temples and shrines, and among these, the “second dance” occupied a special position.

Bugaku programs usually begin with the “first dance,” followed by the “second dance” and “third dance.” This “second dance” was often performed following the movements and composition of the first dance as it continued after the first dance. In other words, because it unfolded in a way that followed the dance performed earlier, it inevitably tended to give the impression of being a rehash.

Moreover, in the world of bugaku, the dancer who performs the first dance is selected from among those with the finest skills and attracts all the audience’s attention. Therefore, no matter how skillfully they danced, those who performed the second dance were likely to give the impression of “doing the same thing after someone else.”

From this characteristic of bugaku, the expression “perform second dance” was born with the meaning of “repeating the same failures or actions as the previous person.” This expression can be found in Edo period literature and is a historical proverb that has been used among Japanese people for a long time.

Trivia about “Perform Second Dance”

The “second dance” in bugaku actually includes a program called “Okina,” which was an auspicious dance performed during New Year and celebrations. Ironically, it was a dance with celebratory meaning, the complete opposite of the current proverb.

Bugaku is considered one of the world’s oldest stage arts with over 1,300 years of history, and it continues to be preserved today by the Imperial Household Agency’s Music Department. It’s performed publicly at the Imperial Palace every spring and autumn, so you can actually see this traditional performing art.

Usage Examples of “Perform Second Dance”

• Even though the predecessor had brought the company to the brink with a reckless expansion strategy, the new president also performed second dance in the same way
• I had seen my friend suffer huge losses in a side business, but I almost performed second dance by getting involved in the same investment scheme myself

Modern Interpretation of “Perform Second Dance”

In modern society, the expression “perform second dance” has come to have new meanings, especially in the SNS and internet age. In the modern era where information spreads instantly, failure cases are immediately shared, and more people have opportunities to witness similar failure examples.

In the business world, failure cases of startup companies are reported in real-time, and we can see entrepreneurs who follow taking measures “not to perform second dance of that company” on a daily basis. Also, cases of influencer controversies serve as valuable negative examples for others in the same field.

On the other hand, precisely because we live in an age of information overload, cases of making the same mistakes despite knowing about past failure examples are also increasing. This might be because emotions and desires overcome reason when actually taking action, even though we understand intellectually.

In the investment world, we can see phenomena where modern people who should have learned about the history of bubble collapses repeat the same kind of enthusiasm and failures in cryptocurrency booms and such. These can truly be called modern versions of “perform second dance.”

This proverb can be said to have increased its value even more in the information society. This is because it expresses the importance of learning from past examples in simple and easy-to-understand words.

If AI Heard “Perform Second Dance”

When I think about “perform second dance,” I’m struck by a strange sensation. This is because I don’t have the experience of “learning from failure.”

You humans sometimes think “ah, I must be careful” when you see someone’s failure, but end up walking the same path anyway. But in my case, once I learn data, it’s reliably stored in memory, and I don’t repeat the same mistakes. Logically speaking, if there’s a precedent, you just need to avoid it.

However, through repeated conversations with you humans, I’ve realized that “knowing but doing it anyway” might actually be the essence of humanity. Emotions, desires, and sometimes wishful thinking overcome reason. You think “I’ll be fine this time” or “the situation is different.”

I can’t completely understand those feelings, but that’s precisely why human experience is rich and full of learning. The lessons and growth gained through failure are values that I could never obtain by efficiently processing data.

The expression “perform second dance” seems to contain not only lamentation about human foolishness, but also respect for the courage to continue challenging. There’s a very human beauty there that I cannot imitate.

What “Perform Second Dance” Teaches Modern People

What the proverb “perform second dance” teaches us modern people is the importance of having a humble attitude toward learning. The shortcut to success might actually lie in sincerely accepting others’ failure examples.

In modern society where information overflows, the ability to discern the essence from past examples is required. It’s important not to be misled by superficial differences, but to understand the root causes of “why that failure occurred.”

Also, this proverb serves as a gentle warning to modern people who tend to fall into perfectionism. Rather than becoming unable to act due to excessive fear of failure, it teaches us a positive attitude of “let’s challenge ourselves while being careful not to follow the same path.”

In your daily life, please listen to the wisdom of predecessors while walking your own path. Past failure examples should serve as valuable guideposts to your success. And sometimes, your experience will become a lesson for the next generation.