How to Read “義理と褌かかねばならぬ”
Giri to fundoshi kakane ba naranu
Meaning of “義理と褌かかねばならぬ”
This proverb means that both duty and loincloth are precious things that are indispensable for a person.
Duty refers to social responsibilities such as promises, obligations, and etiquette in human relationships. On the other hand, the loincloth was basic underwear worn by men during the Edo period, and was a necessity without which one could not appear in public. This proverb expresses that both are equally important and indispensable by juxtaposing “duty,” which is a spiritual obligation, with the “loincloth,” which is a physical necessity.
As for usage situations, it is used when wanting to emphasize the importance of fulfilling one’s duty, or when discussing basic human responsibilities. In particular, it is often used as an admonition that duty must not be neglected even in difficult circumstances. Even today, the persuasive power of this metaphorical expression remains unchanged when expressing the importance of trust and promises in human relationships.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb is thought to have emerged from the lived experiences of common people during the Edo period. For men of that time, the fundoshi (loincloth) was a daily necessity, just like modern underwear. Meanwhile, “duty” referred to social conventions and etiquette for maintaining smooth human relationships.
What’s interesting is the combination of these two elements. While the loincloth is extremely personal and practical, duty is social and spiritual. However, people of the Edo period treated both as equally “indispensable things.”
Wearing a loincloth was the most basic aspect of grooming oneself. No matter how poor one was, without properly wearing a loincloth, one could not appear in public. Similarly, duty was the minimum obligation as a human being that had to be fulfilled no matter how impoverished one was.
The background to this proverb’s establishment lies in the strict class system of the Edo period and the importance of human relationships cultivated within it. Among merchants and craftsmen, trust and duty formed the foundation of business. “Neglecting duty” meant losing social trust, which was equivalent to losing one’s livelihood foundation.
Usage Examples
- No matter how busy I am, since “Duty and loincloth must be worn,” I definitely plan to attend my mentor’s wedding who has helped me so much
- My father often said “Duty and loincloth must be worn,” and now I understand its meaning very well
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, this proverb demands new interpretation. First, the “loincloth” itself has disappeared from daily life and has become unfamiliar to many people. Therefore, just looking at the literal words of the proverb makes it difficult to convey its importance.
However, the essential message expressed by this proverb may be gaining importance especially in modern times. Now that SNS and digital communication have become mainstream, the concept of “duty” is beginning to take on new meaning amid the tendency for human relationships to become superficial.
Modern “duty” is interpreted in a broader sense, including keeping promises, expressing gratitude, and helping people in trouble. There are modern forms of duty such as replying to emails and messages, sending thank-you communications, and participating in ceremonial occasions.
On the other hand, modern people tend to value “efficiency” and there is also a tendency to dismiss duty as “troublesome.” However, as artificial intelligence and automation advance, the value of human warmth and trust relationships is conversely increasing. This proverb contains lessons that are still fully applicable today as ancient wisdom that makes us reconsider the foundation of human relationships that cannot be replaced by technology.
When AI Hears This
The most remarkable aspect of this proverb is how it completely ignores the “word hierarchy” that exists in Japanese.
Normally, in Japanese, words representing spiritual values like “giri” (duty/obligation) are placed in high positions. Meanwhile, “fundoshi” (loincloth), being underwear, has traditionally been considered a “low” word that people hesitate to mention in public. Yet this proverb connects these two with the same verb “kakanebanaranu” (must be worn/maintained).
From a linguistic perspective, this is a revolutionary expression. For instance, if someone said “love and socks are important,” we would feel something was off. This is because we resist treating the sublime concept of love and the everyday item of socks as equals.
However, “giri and fundoshi” uses this sense of incongruity to create a powerful impression. Listeners think “What?” for a moment, but in that instant they’re made to realize the essential truth that “both are indispensable to human beings.”
This expressive technique is used in modern advertising as well. It’s similar to how luxury brands deliberately use common language to create approachability. In other words, it’s a technique of conveying a stronger message by breaking down the “class system” of words.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is about the priorities we should cherish as human beings. It shows us through simple and impressive metaphor that even in a convenient and efficient world, there are things we must continue to protect unchanged.
In modern society, we tend to put “duty” on the back burner when pressed for time. However, conveying gratitude to people who have helped us, keeping promises, and extending a helping hand to those in trouble are important acts that form the foundation of human relationships. These are truly like modern “loincloths” – indispensable for us to live in society.
What’s important is not to view duty as a rigid obligation, but to accept it positively as an opportunity to deepen connections with people. Even small considerations, thoughtfulness, and words of gratitude are worthy practices of duty.
Why don’t you start cherishing small duties toward people around you from today? That should be the first step toward building the invaluable treasure of rich human relationships.
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