How to Read “An Edokko is like a May carp streamer”
Edokko wa gogatsu no koi no fukinagashi
Meaning of “An Edokko is like a May carp streamer”
This proverb means that Edokko (people from old Tokyo) are good talkers but lack substance. It describes people whose words and appearance are impressive and energetic, but whose actual abilities and achievements don’t match up.
May carp streamers flutter vigorously in the wind and look spectacular, but they’re completely hollow inside. This image expresses how someone can look impressive on the outside but lack real substance.
The proverb especially applies to people who talk big and are skilled with words, but fall short when it comes to actual execution. It also describes those who show off and claim more than their true abilities.
Even today, this proverb’s lesson applies to people who give great presentations or sales pitches but lack practical skills. It also fits those who make flashy posts on social media but whose actual lives and work don’t measure up.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb’s origin is deeply connected to the customs of Boys’ Day during the Edo period. On May 5th for Boys’ Day, samurai families and townspeople had the custom of raising carp streamers.
These carp streamers included a large carp-shaped main body with colorful streamers attached below. The streamers looked gorgeous and seemed to swim vigorously as they fluttered in the wind, but they were actually just hollow cloth.
This characteristic perfectly captured the temperament of Edokko. Edokko were known as generous, eloquent, and spirited people, so much so that they were said to “never keep money overnight.”
However, they also had a reputation for being show-offs who tried to appear bigger than their actual wealth or abilities allowed.
This proverb expresses these Edokko characteristics by comparing them to the gorgeous streamers swimming in the May sky. While it contains irony about impressive appearances without substance, the expression has a certain charm.
This might reflect the self-deprecating humor of Edo people.
Interesting Facts
Carp streamer decorations actually contained meanings of warding off evil spirits. The five colors were each based on Chinese five-element philosophy, embodying parents’ wishes for their children’s healthy growth.
In Edo period townspeople culture, the phrase “skilled in both speech and action” was born. The eloquence of Edokko was recognized as a cultural characteristic.
In business settings, this speaking ability became an important weapon.
Usage Examples
- That new employee explains proposals well, but an Edokko is like a May carp streamer—his actual work execution ability still needs improvement
- He says impressive things at entrepreneurship seminars, but an Edokko is like a May carp streamer—when you look at his track record, he’s accomplished almost nothing
Universal Wisdom
This proverb has been passed down for generations because it accurately captures a universal human weakness. We all have the desire to make ourselves appear bigger than we really are.
This is a self-defense instinct. For humans as social creatures, it’s a natural psychology in some ways.
What’s particularly interesting is that this proverb isn’t just criticism—it contains a certain charm. The word “Edokko” itself conveys an endearing humanity.
Rather than completely rejecting human vanity and pretense, it understands these weaknesses while still teaching the importance of having real substance.
In modern society, it’s become easy to present yourself through social media and other platforms. But this makes the gap between appearance and substance more noticeable than ever.
People are attracted to superficial glamour, but they also have eyes that see through to the essence.
This proverb teaches us the essence of trust in human relationships. You might get by temporarily with just words, but in the long run, ability and sincerity determine how people evaluate you.
Our ancestors tried to convey through this vivid metaphor that substance matters more than flashiness, and actions more than words.
When AI Hears This
Carp streamers swim beautifully precisely because they’re hollow inside. From a fluid dynamics perspective, this is a surprisingly rational design.
When wind enters a cloth tube, the internal air pressure increases and pushes outward. If the inside were filled, it would be too heavy to move.
But being hollow makes it light enough to sway greatly even in gentle breezes.
What’s more important is how it handles air resistance. Streamers have a structure that “lets wind flow through,” so they don’t tear easily even in strong winds. In other words, being hollow gives them both flexibility and durability.
What’s fascinating here is that while this proverb mocks Edokko as “show-offs with no substance,” physically speaking, the hollow space is exactly what creates optimal performance.
People traveling light respond faster to environmental changes than those carrying heavy loads.
This pattern appears in biological evolution too. Small mammals thrived after dinosaurs went extinct following the same principle.
To survive in Edo, a rapidly changing city, the strategy of staying flexible without the “substance” of fixed ideas might actually have been the optimal solution. What was meant as sarcasm actually hit upon the essence of survival strategy.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches you today is the importance of taking responsibility for your words. With increased opportunities for self-expression through social media and presentations, this lesson carries even more weight.
The point isn’t to avoid impressive words. Rather, it’s about steadily building up abilities that match your words. Speaking of big goals is wonderful, but you mustn’t neglect the steady effort to achieve them.
This perspective also helps when evaluating others. You can develop an eye that looks at people’s actual achievements and actions rather than being fooled by superficial glamour or skillful talk.
At the same time, it’s good to regularly reflect on whether your own words and actions align.
Your value isn’t determined by how impressively you can speak, but by how sincerely you can act. Rather than words that flutter in the wind like streamers, grow as a person with solid substance inside.
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