How to Read “竹馬の友”
Chikuba no tomo
Meaning of “竹馬の友”
“Bamboo horse friend” refers to close friends who have grown up together since childhood.
This proverb expresses friendships with deep connections from early childhood, like those who played together on bamboo horses as children. It means not just a long-standing relationship, but a special bond where both parties have walked through each other’s growth processes together.
It is used when talking about friends from the same hometown or classmates, when you want to emphasize the depth of the relationship and its long history. When you say “that person is my Bamboo horse friend,” it conveys that there is a trusting relationship where both parties know each other thoroughly, rather than a formal friendship.
Even today, it is often used when talking about friends from kindergarten or elementary school days, and continues to be cherished as a beautiful expression that conveys the specialness of such relationships. It is an emotionally rich Japanese expression that entrusts the value of friendship built over time to the nostalgic toy of bamboo horses.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Bamboo horse friend” lies in an anecdote about a person named Yin Hao recorded in the ancient Chinese classic “Book of Jin.” There remains a record that when Yin Hao was young, he played on bamboo horses together with a boy named Huan Wen.
Bamboo horses were children’s toys in ancient China, where they would straddle bamboo poles and pretend they were horses. Unlike modern bamboo stilts, they didn’t have platforms for feet – it was simply a game of running around with bamboo poles between their legs. This game was also transmitted to Japan and was already popular among children during the Heian period.
What’s interesting is that Yin Hao and Huan Wen, who appear in this historical tale, later became political opponents. The fate of these two, who were childhood friends but became enemies as adults, must have been a memorable event for the people of ancient China.
In Japan, this Chinese historical tale began to be quoted in literature from the Heian period onward, and by the Edo period, it was widely used with the current meaning of “close friends from childhood.” It is a proverb with a long history.
Interesting Facts
Bamboo horse play was actually excellent exercise for strengthening the core. Unlike modern bamboo stilts, ancient bamboo horses had a simple structure of just straddling a pole, but considerable physical ability was needed to run while maintaining balance. For samurai children, it likely had the practical meaning of training their bodies while playing.
Interestingly, the relationship between Yin Hao and Huan Wen, who are the origin of this saying, later became political enemies. Behind the beautiful phrase “Bamboo horse friend” lies, ironically, an actual example of broken friendship. Nevertheless, the memory of pure childhood friendship was idealized and passed down to later generations as this proverb.
Usage Examples
- He and I are Bamboo horse friends, so I can talk to him about anything without reservation
- Mr. Tanaka, who is my Bamboo horse friend, returned to his hometown after a long time
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the concept of “Bamboo horse friend” is beginning to take on new meaning. In today’s world where job transfers and school changes are frequent, fewer people spend their entire lives from birth to adulthood in the same place. Therefore, people who have true Bamboo horse friends have become rather precious.
On the other hand, through SNS and online games, it has become possible to maintain childhood friendships even when physically separated. For the digital native generation, friends who grew up together online might also be called “Bamboo horse friends” in a sense.
Also, in modern times, friendships have become more diverse. Many people now build different friendships in various communities – school friends, workplace colleagues, hobby companions, etc. Among these, “Bamboo horse friend” is positioned as a special category representing the deepest trust relationships.
What’s interesting is the longing that modern people feel toward “Bamboo horse friends.” Perhaps because of our complex and rapidly changing modern society, the yearning for pure and unchanging friendship has grown stronger. This proverb continues to hold new value as a symbol of ideal human relationships for modern people.
When AI Hears This
Tracing the historical evolution of stilts reveals the true essence of friendship. Originally, stilts were used for military training in ancient China. Soldiers would mount stilts to look down on enemies from elevated positions and develop the sensations of mounted combat. In other words, they initially served as tools for “dominating others.”
However, as time passed, these stilts transformed into children’s playthings. They evolved from instruments for competing over military advantage into toys where friends could enjoy themselves together while developing their sense of balance. This transformation is truly symbolic.
Modern psychological research shows that shared childhood experiences determine the quality of friendships. Particularly, “experiences of overcoming difficulties together” create the strongest bonds. Stilt-walking perfectly exemplifies this. In the process of mastering the challenging art of balancing—difficult to achieve alone—while encouraging each other as friends, children learn the joy of cooperation rather than competition.
The special nature of friendship represented by “childhood friends who walked on stilts together” lies precisely here. Just as stilts transformed from the “win-or-lose” world of military training into the “growing together” world of children’s play, true friendship isn’t about defeating others, but about falling down together, getting back up, and growing while supporting each other. The history of this simple tool eloquently tells the story of friendship’s essence.
Lessons for Today
“Bamboo horse friend” teaches modern people that true friendship is something that must be nurtured over time. Precisely because we live in an era overflowing with instant relationships, we need to reconsider the value of trust relationships built over long periods.
What’s important is cherishing the friendships we have now. While we tend to lose contact with friends from our student days in modern times, try making a conscious effort to maintain those relationships. Just staying in touch once a year can preserve those bonds.
Also, in new friendships, we can apply the spirit of “Bamboo horse friend.” By having an attitude of watching over each other’s growth and spending time together, we should be able to build deep relationships that go beyond superficial interactions.
You surely have special friends too. If you nurture your relationships with them as carefully as “Bamboo horse friends,” your life will undoubtedly become richer and warmer. After all, friendship is one of life’s greatest treasures.
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