How to Read “花も実もある”
Hana mo mi mo aru
Meaning of “花も実もある”
“Flowers too fruit too exist” expresses having both outward beauty and splendor, as well as inner fulfillment and substantial value.
This proverb is used when evaluating people or situations. It’s an expression that praises the excellence of having a balanced combination of both aspects, as it’s insufficient to have only good appearance or only excellent content. When used about people, it refers to those who are beautiful in appearance and excellent in character, or those who are talented and have wonderful humanity. Regarding situations, it expresses circumstances where both form and content are fulfilling.
Even today, this expression is used as the highest form of praise. Particularly in times when there’s a tendency to focus only on appearance or rely solely on ability, it’s a phrase that helps us recognize anew the value of having both. It can be said to be a characteristically Japanese, modest way of expressing perfect people or ideal situations.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Flowers too fruit too exist” is based on the natural growth process of plants. Generally, plants have a life cycle where they first bloom beautiful flowers and then bear practical fruit. This natural phenomenon came to be used as a metaphor for expressing human qualities and the value of things.
Since ancient times, Japanese people have cherished both the beauty of cherry blossoms and the bounty of plums and persimmons. The underlying idea is that flowers alone are merely temporary beauty, but a plant’s true value is demonstrated only when it bears fruit. This proverb, born from this observation, is said to have begun being used around the Muromachi period.
During the Edo period, it was also used to express the ideal image of samurai. It was considered important to have not only beautiful appearance and magnificence (flowers) but also actual ability and character (fruit). In the merchant world, it was used to express the importance of combining both impressive store appearance and product quality.
Thus, “Flowers too fruit too exist” can be said to be a very Japanese proverb born from the fusion of Japanese aesthetic sense and values that emphasize practicality.
Interesting Facts
What’s botanically interesting is that plants with both beautiful flowers and fruit are surprisingly rare. Many plants specialize in either flowers or fruit, and plants where both are equally attractive are uncommon in nature.
The character “実” (mi) used for “fruit” in this proverb originally reads as “mi” and includes meanings of not only fruit but also “truth” and “fulfillment.” In other words, the word structure itself contains the contrast between outward beauty and inner truthfulness.
Usage Examples
- That actress is truly someone where flowers too fruit too exist – not only is she beautiful, but her acting ability is also wonderful
- The new department manager is someone where flowers too fruit too exist, so the department atmosphere will likely improve
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the ideal of “Flowers too fruit too exist” has become more important than ever. Precisely because we live in an era where only appearance and superficial charm tend to get attention due to the development of SNS and media, the value of this proverb is being recognized anew.
In the world of influencers and celebrities, not only flashy appearance but also the quality of content they share and their humanity have come to be questioned. While attracting temporary attention is easy, having the “fruit” aspect is essential for continued long-term support. In business too, both beautiful brand image and actual product/service quality are required, and companies cannot survive in the market with only one or the other.
However, changes can be seen in the interpretation of this proverb in modern times. While it was traditionally often used in combinations like “beauty and character,” it’s now used in more diverse contexts such as “presentation ability and specialized knowledge” or “design and functionality.”
There’s also a movement to reconsider this proverb as a warning against modern society’s excessive pursuit of perfection. The importance of having flowers and fruit exist in appropriate balance, rather than needing both to be perfect, is gaining attention.
When AI Hears This
In the plant world, vibrant flowers are merely “billboards” to attract insects—the real purpose is to produce fruit that carries genes to the next generation. Yet in human society, this biological priority is completely reversed. We admire beautiful flowers and trade them at high prices, while treating nutritious fruit as something “plain and ordinary.”
This value reversal runs deep in human evaluation systems. Eye-catching appearance and smooth talking (flower-like elements) instantly grab attention, but steady effort and solid results (fruit-like elements) often go unnoticed. It’s exactly the same structure as plants using flowers to attract attention while delivering real value through fruit.
People who “have both flowers and fruit” might be unconsciously embodying this biological strategy. They attract others with appealing looks and eloquence while simultaneously producing concrete results. The “flower-and-fruit balance strategy” that plants acquired through evolution is something humans also need for social success.
What’s fascinating is that flowers are also a “cost” for plants. Blooming beautiful flowers requires enormous energy, reducing the resources available for fruit production. Similarly, when humans invest energy in maintaining appearance and charm, it potentially decreases investment in developing substantial abilities. This proverb might be a wise answer to such biological dilemmas.
Lessons for Today
The proverb “Flowers too fruit too exist” teaches us modern people an important sense of balance. It shows the aesthetics of compatibility – not dismissing appearance or first impressions, while simultaneously not neglecting inner fulfillment.
In modern society, attention tends to focus on the immediately effective “flowers” aspect. However, the “fruit” aspect is essential for gaining long-term trust and satisfaction. When you learn something, polish both presentation skills and specialized knowledge. In human relationships, value both attractive appearance and a caring heart. In work, accumulate both good-looking results and solid ability.
You don’t need to be perfect. What’s important is not leaning toward one side or the other, but finding your own balance. What are your “flowers” and “fruit”? By finding and nurturing them, surely the day will come when people around you say “you’re someone where flowers too fruit too exist.” How wonderful it would be to live such a life.
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