How to Read “花より団子”
Hana yori dango
Meaning of “花より団子”
“Dumplings rather than flowers” is a proverb that expresses the feeling of preferring practical and useful things over beautiful or elegant things.
This proverb expresses natural human desires and realistic judgment. It refers to a psychological state where one chooses concrete benefits or material satisfaction that are right in front of them, rather than aesthetic value or spiritual satisfaction. It is used in situations where one makes realistic choices over idealistic theories, or when seeking material wealth over spiritual richness.
The reason for using this expression is to convey genuine human feelings and honest emotions. While people may claim to appreciate beautiful things on the surface, deep down they seek practical things—this represents the human-like contradiction and honesty. Even today, it remains a beloved proverb that expresses emotions we can fully understand in our daily lives, such as wanting to enjoy gourmet food rather than art appreciation, or making decisions that prioritize practical benefits over ideals.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Dumplings rather than flowers” is deeply rooted in the common people’s culture of the Edo period. The background of this proverb’s creation is closely related to the flower-viewing culture of that time.
During the Edo period, cherry blossom viewing was one of the greatest annual pleasures for common people. However, at flower-viewing gatherings, people were often more absorbed in enjoying dumplings, sake, and food rather than admiring the beautiful cherry blossoms. At famous flower-viewing spots like Ueno and Asukayama, scenes of common people indulging in eating and drinking while ignoring the cherry blossoms were depicted in ukiyo-e prints and literary works of the time.
“Flowers” symbolize aesthetic things and spiritual satisfaction, while “dumplings” represent practical things and material satisfaction. This contrast became established as an expression that succinctly captures Japanese values.
Senryu poetry from the Edo period includes verses like “Rather than flowers, enjoying flower viewing with dumplings in the countryside,” showing that this proverb arose from the genuine feelings of common people. It is truly a word of wisdom born from common sense, expressing the fundamental human choice between appreciating beautiful things and prioritizing realistic desires.
Interesting Facts
During Edo period flower viewing, special dumplings called “hanami dango” were actually sold. These dumplings were made in three colors—cherry pink (light red), white, and green—each representing the arrival of spring. So while saying “Dumplings rather than flowers,” there’s an interesting contradiction in that the dumplings themselves expressed the beauty of flowers.
Even in modern flower viewing, the scene of people going to see cherry blossoms but actually becoming absorbed in lunch boxes and alcohol remains unchanged. The fact that this proverb continues to be used after more than 400 years may tell us that human nature remains constant across time.
Usage Examples
- Rather than going to the art museum, I’m more interested in the restaurant next door—I guess I’m really “dumplings rather than flowers”
- Even though we’re supposed to be enjoying autumn leaves, I’m being “dumplings rather than flowers” by only looking forward to the hot springs and food
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Dumplings rather than flowers” has taken on more complex meanings. In today’s SNS era, we can observe a phenomenon where taking and sharing photos of beautiful scenery becomes the goal, and people become absorbed in taking “Instagram-worthy” photos rather than actually experiencing the moment. This could be called a new form of “Dumplings rather than flowers.”
As digitalization progresses, there’s also a growing tendency to seek real experiences over virtual beauty. While online art appreciation has become possible, the value of actually visiting places to enjoy meals or physically handling products is being reevaluated.
Additionally, in modern times, the concept of “cost-performance” is highly valued, with a stronger tendency to seek practicality and efficiency over aesthetic value. This could be called a modern version of “Dumplings rather than flowers.” On the other hand, as a reaction to this value system, movements like “slow life” and “minimalism” have emerged, deliberately seeking beautiful things and spiritual richness even if inefficient.
What’s interesting is that in modern times, the greedy choice of “both flowers and dumplings” has become possible through technological advancement. Environments where one can enjoy beautiful scenery while savoring delicious food have been established, and new values that don’t require choosing between two options are emerging.
When AI Hears This
Modern people routinely engage in seemingly contradictory behavior: posting Instagram-worthy photos of trendy cafes on their smartphones, then immediately switching to price comparison apps to hunt for the cheapest deals. This phenomenon reveals how the “substance over style” mindset has become complexly fragmented in contemporary society.
What’s particularly fascinating is the “context dependency” of modern consumer behavior. The same person who orders a $15 pancake for its Instagram potential at a morning café will unhesitatingly choose a $3 beef bowl for lunch. This can’t be explained by traditional fixed personality categories like “practical types” versus “aesthetically-minded types.”
Marketing research shows that about 70% of people in their 20s and 30s report that “the values I prioritize change depending on the situation.” They invest generously in “experiential consumption” while demanding strict cost-performance ratios for daily necessities. In other words, the modern version of “substance over style” completely flips depending on the context of “what kind of style and what kind of substance.”
This strategic switching between value systems could be seen as a rational strategy by modern people trying to maximize both “self-expression” and “quality of life” within limited budgets. They choose “style” for Instagram-worthy moments and reliably opt for “substance” in their daily foundation. Rather than the consistent value systems of previous generations, this might represent a new form of pragmatism altogether.
Lessons for Today
What “Dumplings rather than flowers” teaches modern people is the importance of being honest with your true feelings. Rather than being too bound by appearances or idealistic theories, it’s sometimes necessary to acknowledge honest desires.
In modern society, there’s often pressure to make “highly conscious” posts on social media or participate in cultural activities to fit in with others. However, it’s important to stop and think about what you truly seek. It’s okay to want to relax in a café rather than visit a museum some days, and it’s fine to choose familiar pleasures over lofty hobbies.
This proverb also teaches us the importance of accepting our imperfect selves. If we lose sight of our true selves while pursuing an ideal human image, we’re putting the cart before the horse. Flowers are beautiful, but when you’re hungry, dumplings are more welcome. By cherishing such natural emotions, you can live a richer, more authentic life. There are no right or wrong answers to your choices. Have the courage to choose what you need for yourself at that moment.
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