How to Read “提灯に釣鐘”
Chōchin ni tsurigane
Meaning of “提灯に釣鐘”
“Lantern and temple bell” is a proverb that expresses when things are so vastly different that they cannot be compared, as the disparity is too great for any balance to be achieved.
A lightweight and inexpensive lantern versus a heavy and expensive temple bell differ so completely in weight, value, and status that they cannot even be compared on the same level. This proverb is used to point out situations where abilities, positions, or values are so far apart that treating them as equals would be inappropriate. For example, it might be used when trying to make an experienced expert and a beginner compete under the same conditions, or when attempting to discuss luxury goods and cheap items on equal terms. The reason for using this proverb is not simply to say things are “different,” but to emphasize that the gap is so extreme that comparison itself becomes meaningless. Even today, this apt metaphor is understood by many when expressing situations where disparities in status or ability are obvious.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Lantern and temple bell” is deeply rooted in the daily life of common people during the Edo period. A lantern was a lightweight lighting device made of Japanese paper and bamboo, a convenient daily item for carrying around. On the other hand, a temple bell was a heavy bronze bell hung in temple bell towers, weighing anywhere from several hundred kilograms to several tons.
The proverb born from this contrast expresses the inappropriateness of placing two things side by side when their differences in weight, value, and status are extremely disparate. For the people of Edo, lanterns were familiar and accessible items, while temple bells were precious and imposing objects found in the sacred spaces of temples.
What’s interesting is that this proverb encompasses not just the physical contrast of “light things and heavy things,” but also includes social class differences between “everyday things and special things” and “common things and prestigious things.” Within the historical context of the Edo period, where the class system was deeply entrenched, the selection of these two contrasting objects—the lantern and temple bell—to express such extreme disparity was likely a natural conception born from the people’s lived experiences of that time.
Interesting Facts
While a lantern typically weighs about 100 grams, temple bells weigh several hundred kilograms even for small ones, with large ones exceeding 10 tons. This means the weight ratio reaches an astronomical difference of 1 to 100,000 or more.
During the Edo period, lanterns cost several dozen mon, affordable for common people, but temple bells, being made of bronze and requiring advanced manufacturing techniques, were precious items costing the equivalent of tens of millions to hundreds of millions of yen in today’s currency.
Usage Examples
- Comparing a newcomer like me with veteran Tanaka-san is like lantern and temple bell
- Our small shop versus a major chain store is lantern and temple bell—there’s no contest
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the concept of “Lantern and temple bell” has become more complex. This is because new types of disparities that cannot be measured by conventional value standards have emerged in our information-based society.
For example, with combinations like social media follower count versus actual influence, academic credentials versus practical ability, or company size versus innovation capacity, what might appear to be “Lantern and temple bell” situations can actually result in reversals. The phenomenon where small startup companies threaten large corporations, or individual influencers wield more influence than major media outlets, perfectly symbolizes this change.
On the other hand, traditional “Lantern and temple bell” type disparities such as economic inequality and educational gaps still exist and are even expanding in some aspects. The difference between someone earning millions of yen annually versus someone earning hundreds of millions, or between rural elementary schools and urban private schools, remains as stark as the Edo period contrast between lanterns and temple bells.
Modern people need the discernment to see through superficial comparisons and determine what constitutes true value. Precisely because we live in an era where individuals can wield great influence through digital technology, the essential lesson of this proverb—”judging things using appropriate comparative measures”—may be more important than ever.
When AI Hears This
When we compare lanterns and temple bells from a physical perspective, their contrast is remarkably perfect. Lanterns are made of washi paper and bamboo, weighing only a few hundred grams. They sway in the wind and possess the flexibility to deform easily when touched. Temple bells, on the other hand, are made of bronze and weigh hundreds of kilograms to several tons, boasting such solidity that once installed, they remain utterly immovable.
What’s fascinating is that while both are tools born from Buddhist culture, their functions are completely opposite. Lanterns “diffuse” light to softly illuminate their surroundings, while temple bells “concentrate” sound to resonate across great distances. This physical contrast represents the very core of Japanese aesthetic sensibility.
In traditional Japanese aesthetics, “lightness” and “weightiness” are not seen as opposing forces, but rather as elements that enhance each other. The thin shoji screens and thick pillars of tea rooms, the flowing water and motionless stones in gardens—all follow this same principle. The graceful beauty of lanterns stands out precisely because of the weightiness of temple bells, and vice versa.
The expression “lanterns and temple bells” doesn’t simply point to incongruity, but rather serves as evidence that the Japanese have embedded in language their longing for the tense harmony created between disparate elements. An aesthetic sense of balance that transcends physical laws is condensed into these few words.
Lessons for Today
“Lantern and temple bell” teaches modern people the importance of appropriate comparison. We face various choices and decisions daily, and it’s important to reflect on whether we’re making meaningless comparisons in the process.
The same applies when comparing ourselves to others. Comparing yourself to someone with completely different experience and circumstances, then feeling depressed or conversely dismissing them as inferior, might be exactly like placing a lantern next to a temple bell. What’s important is finding comparative measures that are meaningful for your current situation.
This proverb also teaches us the value of “acknowledging differences.” Lanterns have their own merits, and temple bells have their own roles. Rather than forcing them to compete on the same stage, finding places where each can utilize their characteristics would be a more constructive approach.
Modern society values diversity. Through the expression “Lantern and temple bell,” rather than rejecting differences, we should learn the importance of putting the right person in the right place and cultivate hearts that respect each other’s individuality.
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