How to Read “故郷へ錦を飾る”
kokyou he nishiki wo kazaru
Meaning of “故郷へ錦を飾る”
“To hometown brocade decorate” means when a person who has achieved success or advancement in another place returns to their hometown where they were born and raised, bringing their achievements with them and showing their prosperity to the local people.
This proverb expresses the natural human psychology that when people succeed, the ones they most want to show it to are the people from their hometown. The desire to be recognized by the people from the place where they spent their childhood, to have those who knew their former self see who they are now, is a universal emotion that many people harbor. One’s hometown is their roots, and perhaps it’s only by being valued there that they can truly feel successful. Even today, it’s used in situations where famous people from a local area hold triumphant performances, or successful entrepreneurs build factories in their hometowns. However, it’s not simply about bragging, but is understood as an expression with deeper meaning that includes feelings of giving back to and gratitude toward one’s hometown.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “To hometown brocade decorate” traces back to Chinese classics. The most credible theory suggests it originated from the words of Xiang Yu recorded in the “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji). When Xiang Yu conquered Xianyang, the capital of Qin, there is a record of him saying, “Not returning to one’s hometown when wealthy and noble is like wearing brocade and walking at night.” This meant “not returning to one’s hometown after success is like walking at night wearing beautiful brocade clothing – no one can see it, so it’s meaningless.”
This historical tale was transmitted to Japan and is thought to have become established as the expression “wearing brocade and returning to one’s hometown.” Brocade has been treasured since ancient times as the highest quality silk fabric and was also a symbol of power and wealth. The nobles of the Heian period also showed their status by wearing brocade garments.
The expression “decorate” contains not just the meaning of wearing something, but also the nuance of showing off one’s success. During the Edo period, it came to refer to merchants and craftsmen returning to their hometowns after achieving success in other regions and flaunting their wealth. This proverb expresses the deep human desire to be “recognized” and “valued” through the beautiful fabric of brocade – it’s truly a phrase that captures the essence of human psychology.
Interesting Facts
The textile called brocade was a luxury item that came from China during the Nara to Heian periods and was said to have the same value as gold at that time. Therefore, “brocade” was not just beautiful fabric, but truly a symbol of wealth and power.
Interestingly, many expressions using “brocade” remain even today, such as “adding flowers to brocade” and “brocade banner,” continuing to be used as words representing something special and valuable.
Usage Examples
- At the local class reunion, Mr. Tanaka, who had become an executive at a major trading company, participated in a way that was To hometown brocade decorate
- The mother was delighted that her son had succeeded as a doctor and could finally To hometown brocade decorate
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the concept of “To hometown brocade decorate” has changed significantly due to the spread of social media. In the past, one had to physically return to their hometown to show their success, but now through Instagram and Facebook, people can communicate their current situation to hometown people in real time.
However, this change doesn’t necessarily have only positive aspects. The normalization of “showing off” on social media has also diminished the special feeling and weight that the original “decorating with brocade” possessed. Many people feel “there they go bragging again” when seeing someone constantly appealing their success.
On the other hand, the concept of “hometown” itself has diversified in modern times. What is hometown for children of families who frequently relocate for work? What is hometown for people living abroad through international marriage? As globalization progresses, more people don’t have a single hometown.
Also, due to the diversification of values, economic success alone is no longer the only “brocade.” Being recognized as an artist, being valued for social contribution activities, cherishing happy times with family – everyone has their own “brocade.” Modern “To hometown brocade decorate” should perhaps be understood as an expression that encompasses more personal and diverse forms of success.
When AI Hears This
“Nishiki” (brocade) was not the “luxury fabric” that modern people imagine, but rather a state-secret-level material in ancient China that only the emperor could control the production of. The manufacturing techniques for brocade were the exclusive patent of the imperial court, and unauthorized production by ordinary people was considered a capital offense punishable by death.
In other words, “adorning oneself with brocade” is fundamentally different from the modern concept of “becoming wealthy and wearing luxury goods.” It meant “wearing proof of direct recognition from the emperor.” For example, it would be like displaying a medal received directly from the Prime Minister in one’s hometown in modern times.
Here lies the crucial difference. Modern success is measured by “money earned through individual effort,” but success in ancient China was measured by “how much recognition one received from above within the state system.” Brocade was not something that could be purchased in the market, but a special item that could only be obtained as an imperial reward.
Modern people using this proverb with the image of “starting a business, making a fortune, and returning to one’s hometown” might actually be missing the point. Originally, it described “a person who served the state faithfully and, as a result, received the highest honor.” Individualism versus collectivism—this fundamental difference in values is embedded in the single character “nishiki.”
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is that the true value of success is completed by being recognized by someone. No matter how wonderful achievements one makes, if there’s no one to understand and rejoice in them, that joy is diminished.
Especially in modern society, individualism has advanced and working hard alone tends to be considered a virtue. However, this proverb reminds us of the importance of “connections.” By cherishing bonds with hometown people – those who have known us since long ago – success takes on deeper meaning.
This proverb also teaches the spirit of “giving back.” Decorating with brocade in one’s hometown is not mere bragging, but also an expression of gratitude to the land and people who raised us. When we succeed, we want to remember those who supported us.
While the forms of hometown have diversified in modern times, the essence of cherishing relationships with people important to us, those who watched over our growth, remains unchanged. True success is not something achieved alone, but something born from relationships with many people.
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