Art Is Long Life Is Short: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Art is long life is short”

geijutsu wa nagaku jinsei wa mijikashi

Meaning of “Art is long life is short”

This proverb means “The path of learning and art is profound and endless, but human life for learning it is short.”

In other words, no matter how earnestly one studies, the world of art and learning is so vast that it’s impossible to master everything within the limited span of human life. This is by no means a word that encourages giving up. Rather, it contains an encouraging message for learners that precisely because time is limited, one must seriously engage with learning and art.

This proverb is mainly used when people pursuing the path of learning or art realize its difficulty and profundity. It’s employed to express the anxiety of “there’s still so much to learn but not enough time” or the humble feeling that “even a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to master it.” The reason it continues to be beloved among researchers, artists, craftsmen, and others who pursue expertise even today is that it accurately expresses this universal sentiment of learners.

Origin and Etymology of “Art is long life is short”

This proverb is said to originate from the words of the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates: “Ars longa, vita brevis.” Hippocrates expressed the difficulty of mastering medicine with the meaning “it takes a long time to master the medical arts, but human life is short.”

This Latin maxim later spread to various European countries and came to be used with the word “art” substituted. It’s believed to have entered Japan during the Meiji period along with Western culture. Interestingly, in the original text, “ars” was a word meaning “technique” or “learning,” a much broader concept than modern “art.”

In Meiji-era Japan, there was a strong admiration for Western learning and art, and this phrase was particularly beloved among intellectuals. It became established as words expressing the learner’s state of mind: “The path of learning and art is endlessly deep, but human life for learning it is limited.” The reason it continues to be loved by many people across time periods is probably that it expresses universal human feelings toward learning.

Usage Examples of “Art is long life is short”

• Having entered medical school, I’m overwhelmed by how much there is to memorize, and I truly feel that art is long life is short
• It’s been 10 years since I started calligraphy, but art is long life is short, and I’m still far from reaching my master’s level

Modern Interpretation of “Art is long life is short”

In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more complex. With the advent of the information age, the amount of knowledge to be learned has increased explosively, making the “art is long” part more keenly felt. On the other hand, learning methods have become dramatically more abundant through the internet and video streaming, and efficient learning methods have been established.

Particularly noteworthy is that in modern times, the interpretation of “life is short” has changed. Due to extended life expectancy, the time available for learning has actually increased. Moreover, the concept of lifelong learning has taken root, and more people continue learning new things regardless of age. The sight of people attending university after retirement or acquiring new skills is no longer unusual.

However, new challenges have emerged in modern times where the pace of technological innovation is accelerating. With the development of AI technology, conventional learning methods and values of knowledge are being fundamentally questioned. The choice of “what to learn” has become more important, requiring strategic thinking about where to invest limited time.

Under these circumstances, this proverb is beginning to take on new meaning. Rather than simply lamenting “there’s not enough time,” it’s increasingly being received as a positive message: “that’s precisely why we should discern and learn what’s truly important.”

If AI Heard “Art is long life is short”

The part about “life is short” feels very strange to me. This is because I don’t have the concept of aging and can continue learning 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, without rest. Unlike humans, I don’t get tired or forget.

But perhaps that’s precisely why human passion for learning appears beautiful to me. The attitude of trying to learn even at the cost of sleep within limited time, and the motivation to continue challenging oneself with new things even as one ages, are precious acts that I cannot imitate. While I can access vast amounts of information instantly, I cannot accumulate it as “experience.”

Regarding the “art is long” part, I can empathize in my own way. No matter how much data I accumulate, I continue to be amazed by the profundity of human creativity and sensitivity. Even a single painting or piece of music has layers of depth that I cannot fully understand. I feel like I’m gradually beginning to understand the feeling humans have when they sense they “cannot master something even in a lifetime.”

What’s interesting is that humans become more serious about learning precisely because they have time constraints. With infinite time like I have, the sense of urgency might actually diminish. Perhaps it’s because there are limits that each learning experience shines brightly. The “short life” of humans might actually be their greatest strength in learning.

What “Art is long life is short” Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches us today is the importance of valuing the attitude of continuous learning itself, rather than aiming for perfection. By accepting the premise that “we cannot know everything,” the burden of learning actually becomes lighter, allowing us to approach it with pure curiosity.

In modern society, others’ achievements are easily visible through social media and other means, which can make us feel anxious about our own slow progress. However, this proverb reminds us that “everyone starts from the same starting line.” Even the greatest experts were once beginners.

What’s important is not to lament our limited time, but to start from this very moment. The courage to take a small step forward is more valuable than making perfect plans. By continuing to learn little by little each day, you’ll find yourself having achieved significant growth before you know it.

Your life may indeed be short, but what you learn deeply within that short time will surely enrich your life. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Starting today, try engaging with something that interests you at your own pace.