How to Read “The back belly aches”
Atobara ga yameru
Meaning of “The back belly aches”
“The back belly aches” is a proverb that means suffering from unexpected expenses or obstacles after something is finished. It’s an expression that compares this to postpartum abdominal pain.
It describes situations where you overcome a difficult task or event, feel relieved that it’s finally over, and then unexpected problems arise to trouble you.
This proverb is used when additional costs occur after completing a big project, or when hidden problems come to light after signing a contract.
It accurately captures an ironic situation common in life. Just when you think “it’s all over” and let your guard down, new troubles are waiting.
Even today, many people experience situations that fit this saying. Examples include unexpected repair costs after building a house, or the difficulty of cleanup after finishing an event.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb likely originated from the experiences of women related to childbirth, one of life’s major events.
“Atobara” literally means “back belly pain,” referring to abdominal pain that occurs after childbirth.
After finishing the major work of giving birth, just when you think you can finally rest, unexpected pain strikes. This physical experience became a metaphor for unexpected difficulties in life.
This expression appears in documents from the Edo period, suggesting it’s been used for quite a long time.
Childbirth in those days was far more dangerous than today. Postpartum health management was also inadequate. Many women suffered from poor health after giving birth, even when the delivery itself went smoothly.
What’s interesting is that this proverb expanded beyond just physical pain. It came to refer to all unexpected expenses and obstacles after something ends.
The concrete experience of postpartum abdominal pain became established as words expressing a universal situation. That situation is “I thought it was over, but the struggle continues” in various aspects of life.
Usage Examples
- We bought a new house and finished moving, but “the back belly aches” – additional costs for furniture and appliances piled up
- The project completed successfully, but as they say “the back belly aches,” we’re swamped with handling complaints
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “The back belly aches” contains deep insight about the gap between human optimism and the harshness of reality.
When we face difficult situations, we work hard with the hope that “if I can just get through this.” That hope becomes the driving force to endure tough times.
But ironically, that same hope can make us careless. The moment we see the goal, we relax and oversights occur. Then we fall into unexpected pitfalls.
This proverb has been passed down for hundreds of years because this experience is so universal.
In every era and every culture, people have faced new problems the moment they thought something was “finished.” This shows the limits of human cognition.
We cannot perfectly predict the future. Grasping the full picture of things is difficult.
At the same time, this proverb conveys the kindness of our ancestors. It contains the message “you’re not alone, everyone experiences this.”
When you face unexpected difficulties, remembering this proverb might lighten your heart a little. The wisdom here is accepting that this is what life is like.
When AI Hears This
Regretting overeating is exactly what control engineering calls “destabilization of a time-delay system.” It takes about 20 minutes for signals to reach the brain’s satiety center after the stomach is full. This delay causes problems.
Imagine room heating, for example. If the temperature sensor responded with a 20-minute delay, you’d crank up the heat because it’s cold. But you’d only notice it got warm 20 minutes later. By then, the room would be too hot.
This is what control theory calls “overshoot.” The same thing happens with eating. You keep eating because you don’t feel full yet. But when the signal arrives 20 minutes later, you’ve already overeaten.
What’s interesting is that these delay systems exist everywhere. In financial markets, it takes months for corporate performance to reflect in the real economy. During that time, investors keep buying excessively and create bubbles.
On social media, there’s a time lag before noticing a controversy is spreading. During that time, critical comments flood in.
The solution is clear from an engineering perspective. In systems with delays, you must either “restrain input” or “anticipate and stop early.”
In other words, put down your chopsticks at 80% full without waiting for the feeling of fullness. This isn’t about intuition – it’s a rational response to delay systems.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is that everything has “hidden costs.” Whether it’s projects, relationships, or major life decisions, you shouldn’t judge based only on what’s visible on the surface.
In modern society especially, the emphasis on speed and efficiency leaves no room to think about “what comes after.”
But isn’t true success about maintaining responsibility until the very end? Having a wedding isn’t the goal – the life that follows is what really matters. Getting a certification isn’t the goal – using it effectively is what’s important.
So when starting something, try imagining what comes after it ends. Secure backup time and budget. Even after thinking “this is finished,” develop the habit of checking one more time.
If you do this, you can handle unexpected difficulties without panicking when they arise. The wisdom of our ancestors teaches us the importance of caution and preparation.
Comments