How to Read “下戸の建てた蔵はない”
Geko no tateta kura wa nai
Meaning of “下戸の建てた蔵はない”
“There is no storehouse built by non-drinker” is a proverb meaning that people who cannot drink alcohol cannot achieve great success in business.
This proverb is mainly used when teaching about the importance of human relationships in business and commerce. From the Edo period through the Meiji and Taisho eras, negotiations at drinking parties and entertainment were essential elements for business success in Japanese commercial society. Important deals and contracts were often decided while sharing drinks, and being unable to drink meant being unable to participate in or fully utilize such business meeting opportunities.
This expression is still understandable in modern times because it teaches not simply the importance of drinking alcohol, but the importance of building human relationships in business. In the society of that time, drinking parties were the most important venues for networking and opportunities to deepen trust relationships. Therefore, people who could not participate in these were said to miss major business opportunities and, as a result, could not hope for success great enough to build a storehouse.
Origin and Etymology
When exploring the origins of “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker,” we can see it is deeply connected to the commercial culture of the Edo period. During this era, alcohol was not merely a luxury item but an important communication tool in business.
“Geko” (non-drinker) originally referred to a low-ranking class in the ritsuryo system, but as time passed, it came to be used to mean “a person who cannot drink alcohol.” Meanwhile, “kura” (storehouse) was a symbol of wealth for merchants of that time and an important building for storing rice and goods. Being able to build a storehouse was also proof of having accumulated considerable wealth.
In Edo period business, negotiations with business partners at drinking parties were conducted daily. Trust relationships were built by sharing drinks, and important business deals were often concluded this way. Therefore, people who could not drink alcohol tended to be at a disadvantage in business and were considered to have difficulty achieving great success.
From this historical background came the proverb “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker.” It became established as an expression of the reality of the commercial society of that time, where people who could not drink alcohol could not succeed in big business and could not accumulate enough wealth to build a storehouse.
Interesting Facts
For Edo period merchants, a “kura” (storehouse) was not merely a warehouse but a precious building with fire prevention functions. Since fires occurred frequently at that time, earthen storehouses were the last fortress protecting important goods and property. Therefore, building a storehouse was also proof that one could continue generating sufficient profits even considering the risk of fire.
The word “geko” (non-drinker) is actually the antonym of “jogo” (heavy drinker). “Chugo” meant someone who drinks normally. This classification existed from the Nara period and is thought to have been used not only to indicate differences in alcohol consumption but also as an indicator of sociability and business ability.
Usage Examples
- That person is a non-drinker so they’re not good at entertaining clients, and as they say “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker,” I’m worried
- Socializing at drinking parties is also important for sales, and as they say “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker”
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the proverb “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker” is facing a major turning point. This is because the culture of business negotiations and entertainment at drinking parties, which was once taken for granted, is rapidly changing along with work style reforms and heightened compliance awareness.
Particularly among younger generations, there is high awareness of alcohol harassment, and excluding people from business negotiations because they cannot drink alcohol tends to be viewed as problematic. Many companies are reviewing their approach to drinking-based entertainment and social gatherings, aiming to build healthier and more equitable business environments.
However, the essence of this proverb – “the importance of building human relationships” – remains important in modern times. In place of drinking parties, new venues for relationship building have emerged, such as lunch meetings, business discussions at cafes, and online communication. Successful executives and sales representatives excel at building trust relationships with others, regardless of whether they can drink alcohol.
In modern times, rather than interpreting “There is no storehouse built by non-drinker” literally, it would be more appropriate to understand it as meaning “people who don’t value connections with others are unlikely to achieve great success.” Communication skills and humanity are the keys to modern business success.
Moreover, with the rise of health consciousness, non-drinking executives are increasingly gaining attention, so it could be said that the values this proverb represented have become completely outdated.
When AI Hears This
This proverb reveals a relationship between alcohol and success that’s completely opposite to modern thinking. Today, we associate non-drinkers with strong self-control and reliability, but in Edo period merchant society, the exact opposite values dominated.
For merchants of that era, “building networks over drinks” was their lifeline. Important deals were sealed at restaurants and taverns, and sharing sake was the standard way to build trust. Non-drinking merchants were seen as “poor company” or “closed-off people” in these settings, ultimately missing out on business opportunities.
What’s fascinating is the contrast with today’s “drinking party avoidance” phenomenon. Currently, especially among younger generations, there’s a growing recognition that “not drinking = a smart choice for effective use of time and money.” Research actually shows that abstaining from alcohol can save hundreds of thousands of yen annually.
This dramatic shift in values reflects changes in how we work. From the Edo period’s “business deals over drinks” to today’s “efficiency-focused business culture.” The “non-drinker” who was once considered an obstacle to building wealth has now become a symbol of “someone capable of strategic asset building.” It’s a perfect example of how the same behavior can be either a hindrance or a catalyst for success depending on the era—a complete 180-degree flip in values.
Lessons for Today
“There is no storehouse built by non-drinker” teaches us that while values change with the times, the importance of human connections remains unchanged.
While drinking parties were important in the era when this proverb was born, in modern times there are diverse forms of communication. What’s important is the essential part of how to build trust relationships with others. Even if you cannot drink alcohol, if you have consideration for others and sincerity, you will surely be able to connect hearts.
In modern society, people who choose healthy lifestyles tend to be valued more highly. By actively adopting new methods of relationship building such as business discussions over lunch, meetings while walking, and online exchanges, you should be able to build richer human relationships.
What’s important is not being bound by formalities, but having the attitude of thinking from the other person’s perspective and facing them sincerely. Such humanity is what leads to the modern “storehouse-building” success, isn’t it? Please build wonderful human relationships in your own way.
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