How to Read “古川に水絶えず”
Furukawa ni mizu taezu
Meaning of “古川に水絶えず”
“Old river in water does not cease” means that things that have continued for a long time always have a reason for doing so, and they will continue without interruption.
This proverb expresses the value and continuity of things that have survived the test of time. Just as water continues to flow constantly in old riverbeds, matters and relationships that have continued for many years have a solid foundation that supports them. It is used when talking about traditional businesses and family trades, long-lasting human relationships, and inherited cultures and customs.
The reason for using this expression is that it can explain the value of continuity by likening it to natural principles. Rivers continue to flow according to natural laws, and in the same way, it shows that human endeavors also possess the power to endure. Even today, when expressing the management philosophy of long-established companies, techniques passed down through generations, and trust relationships built over many years, the persuasive power of these words remains unchanged.
Origin and Etymology
Regarding the origin of “Old river in water does not cease,” clear documentary evidence is actually uncertain. However, when considering the formation of this proverb, we can see that it contains natural wisdom gained from Japanese people’s long observation of river flows.
The word “old river” is key here. The “old river” referred to here means riverbeds formed over long periods of time. It refers not to newly dug waterways or artificial rivers, but to river flows created by natural forces over hundreds or thousands of years.
Japan is a mountainous country blessed with abundant water sources. Since ancient times, people have lived receiving the blessings of rivers while carefully observing their characteristics. Especially in times when agriculture was central to life, water flow was a crucial element directly connected to daily life. In such daily life, people noticed that water constantly flows in riverbeds formed over long periods of time.
This proverb is thought to have developed from such life wisdom born from natural observation, becoming established as a metaphor for speaking about human relationships and the continuity of things. It is a proverb filled with distinctly Japanese sensibility that expresses the importance of sustainability through the familiar natural phenomenon of river flow.
Usage Examples
- That long-established Japanese confectionery shop is like “Old river in water does not cease,” continuing to preserve the same unchanged taste even into the third generation
- Their friendship can be called “Old river in water does not cease” – they still meet every month even now, 30 years after their student days
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of “Old river in water does not cease” presents a more complex aspect. Amid the rapid changes of the information society, this proverb has given birth to two contradictory interpretations.
On one hand, this phrase has taken on new value for long-established companies and traditional industries that survive despite being on the verge of being swept away by the wave of digitalization. For example, companies that use “human qualities” that cannot be replaced by AI or robots – such as handcrafted artisan techniques and face-to-face customer service – are gaining attention. These companies possess essential value that continues to be needed even as times change, just like water never ceasing to flow in old rivers.
However, in modern times, the pace of change is so fast that the premise itself that “old things are good things” is increasingly questioned. When we see Japanese traditional systems like lifetime employment and seniority-based promotion being reconsidered, or new business models sweeping markets in short periods, we could say we’ve entered an era where adaptability is valued more than continuity.
Nevertheless, amid the flood of information that becomes instantly popular on social media only to disappear, the wisdom of this proverb lives on as an indicator for discerning what is truly valuable. Content that continues to be loved for long periods and products supported across generations indeed have a reliable flow like the water of old rivers.
When AI Hears This
This proverb reveals a remarkable insight about the flow of time. Rivers embody what we might call the “paradox of continuity.”
In other words, while an ancient river has existed in the same location for hundreds of years, the water flowing through it is never the same for even a single moment. This expresses the dual nature of time: one aspect is “time as structure,” and the other is “time as flow.”
For example, your school remains the same “XX Middle School” every year, but the students and teachers change annually. The building stays the same, yet the events that occur there are constantly new. This follows the same structure as the ancient river.
The philosopher Bergson explained through his concept of “pure duration” that time is not a series of points but a continuum like a flowing river. This ancient river proverb anticipated precisely this view of time.
What’s even more fascinating is that the riverbed stones and banks gradually change over time. This means that even the parts that appear “unchanging” are actually transforming over the very long term. This mirrors human traditions and culture.
This proverb teaches us that change and continuity are not opposing forces, but rather different aspects of the same phenomenon. Time is a mysterious phenomenon that continues to exist precisely by flowing.
Lessons for Today
What “Old river in water does not cease” teaches modern people is the importance of having the ability to discern true value.
Precisely because we live in an era of rapid change, we need the power to find the essence hidden in things that have continued for long periods, without being misled by superficial trends. This applies equally to human relationships, career choices, and places of learning. Rather than temporary glamour, discerning whether there is a solid foundation that can be maintained steadily will enrich your life.
This proverb also teaches us “the value of continuing.” Rather than giving up because results don’t come immediately, it’s important to have the attitude of flowing quietly but surely like the water of old rivers. What you’re working on now may also create a path through continuation, eventually becoming a river that brings blessings to many people.
Even as times change, truths that resonate with people’s hearts don’t change. Like the water of old rivers, something valuable that never ceases should be flowing within you too. Please believe in that and nurture it carefully.
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