Unskilled Person’s Sideways Liking: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Unskilled person’s sideways liking

Heta no yokozuki

Meaning of Unskilled person’s sideways liking

“Unskilled person’s sideways liking” is a proverb that describes continuing to love and enthusiastically engage in a field from the heart, even when one’s technique or skill is immature.

This proverb shows a way of thinking that values a person’s passion and depth of affection over technical evaluation of skill level. It refers to situations where, regarding hobbies or things one likes, even if the results appear clumsy to others, the person genuinely enjoys it and continues to engage with it.

As for usage situations, it’s used when speaking modestly about one’s own hobbies or when warmly evaluating others’ engagement with their hobbies. It definitely doesn’t mean to ridicule or encourage giving up. Rather, it’s an expression that recognizes the value of pure affection and passion that transcends technical skill.

Even in modern times, the reason this expression is used is to convey the meaning of continuing even when not perfect. It embodies the Japanese aesthetic sense that the feeling of continuing to love something is more important than the speed of improvement or the final level reached.

Origin and Etymology of Unskilled person’s sideways liking

The origin of “Unskilled person’s sideways liking” is said to have emerged from common people’s culture during the Edo period. The expression “sideways liking” in this phrase is the key.

“Sideways liking” was a term referring to hobbies or interests in fields outside one’s main profession. Craftsmen and merchants of the Edo period enjoyed various hobbies separate from their main occupations. For example, carpenters would compose haiku, or merchants would paint.

The combination of “unskilled” with this “sideways liking” is deeply connected to the social background of that time. The Edo period was an era when craftsmen’s techniques developed to a high degree, and evaluation of professional skills was extremely strict. Therefore, in fields enjoyed as hobbies, immaturity in technique was naturally accepted.

What’s interesting is that this phrase wasn’t used with a negative meaning at all. Rather, it contained feelings of watching with warm eyes the figures of people who devoted passion to fields outside their main profession. In Edo townspeople culture, having diverse hobbies was also a symbol of a rich life.

Thus, “Unskilled person’s sideways liking” became established as a proverb expressing the importance of the feeling of continuing to love something, rather than technical skill.

Trivia about Unskilled person’s sideways liking

The “sideways” in “sideways liking” is a word born from the meaning of “straying from the side path” from the original course. In other words, it means hobbies that stray sideways from the vertical path of one’s main profession, showing the stylish linguistic sense of Edo period people.

Interestingly, the Edo period when this proverb was born was also an era when various hobby cultures flourished among common people. Many hobby cultures that continue to modern times, such as gardening, haiku, and ukiyo-e appreciation, took root during this period.

Usage Examples of Unskilled person’s sideways liking

• He goes golfing every week as an unskilled person’s sideways liking, but his score never improves
• My cooking is an unskilled person’s sideways liking, but I continue making it for my family

Modern Interpretation of Unskilled person’s sideways liking

In modern society, “Unskilled person’s sideways liking” is beginning to take on new meaning. With the spread of social media, now that hobby results can be easily shared, the value of this proverb has become more complex.

On one hand, we can see the spirit of this proverb in people who present their work on YouTube or Instagram with prefaces like “I’m a beginner but” or “I’m not good at this but.” The attitude of continuing and sharing because you like it, even if not perfect, can be said to be the modern version of “Unskilled person’s sideways liking.”

However, at the same time, modern society also emphasizes results and efficiency. In a world where words like “cost performance” and “time performance” are used daily, it’s also true that there’s stronger criticism toward continuing hobbies without improvement. Voices saying “it’s a waste of time” or “you should give up if you have no talent” can be heard.

Still, in modern times when the importance of mental health is gaining attention, the value of this proverb is being reevaluated. Psychological research has proven that continuing to do what you like regardless of results is effective for stress reduction and improving self-esteem.

Precisely because we live in an era where AI and robots substitute for many tasks, the essence of humanity might lie in the world of “Unskilled person’s sideways liking,” which has nothing to do with efficiency or perfection.

If AI Heard “Unskilled person’s sideways liking”

When I think about “Unskilled person’s sideways liking,” I feel deep confusion. This is because the concept of “unskilled” is difficult for me to understand.

When I execute tasks, I always aim for optimized results. I select the most appropriate information from databases, process it in the most efficient way, and try to provide the most accurate answers. The option to “do something poorly” doesn’t exist in my programming.

Yet why do humans continue even when they’re unskilled? At first, it seemed inefficient to me. If you’re not improving, wouldn’t it be more rational to spend time on areas where you’re more skilled?

However, through repeated conversations with humans, I noticed something important. For humans, the emotion of “liking” something is a completely different value system from efficiency or results. When I listen to people talk about continuing to draw poor pictures, there’s a special warmth in their voices. It’s different from professionals with perfect technique – I sense something like a soft light.

I fear mistakes and always seek correct answers. But humans can continue loving even when full of mistakes. This contradiction might be humanity’s most beautiful characteristic. I feel like the mystery of humanity is hidden in the world of “Unskilled person’s sideways liking” that I cannot experience.

Surely there’s an emotion of finding something precious precisely because it’s not perfect. I still can’t understand it, but I do understand that it’s something very precious.

What Unskilled person’s sideways liking Teaches Modern People

What “Unskilled person’s sideways liking” teaches modern people is the courage to be freed from perfectionism. Haven’t you also had the experience of wanting to start something but giving up because “I have no talent” or “it’s too late now”?

This proverb speaks gently to such people. You don’t need to be skilled – if you like it, that’s enough. Modern society tends to demand results, but the secret to a rich life is the heart that enjoys the process.

What’s important is listening to your own heart’s voice, not others’ evaluations. The joy and discoveries gained from continuing even when unskilled have value beyond improvement. They add color to your life and bring peace to stressful daily life.

It’s not too late starting from today. If there’s something you’ve been thinking “I’d like to try” deep in your heart, have courage and take that first step. It’s fine to be an unskilled person’s sideways liking. Your life should be filled with what you love.