How to Read “人が寺へ参らば我は鮨食おうという”
Hito ga tera e mairaba ware wa sushi kuou to iu
Meaning of “人が寺へ参らば我は鮨食おうという”
This proverb means that when everyone is taking the same action, one should choose a different path to gain profit.
It represents a shrewd and practical approach to life, where one pursues their own interests in less competitive fields while others are all doing the same thing. By contrasting the religious and spiritual act of temple visiting with the material and hedonistic act of eating sushi, it teaches the importance of acting according to one’s own values without being swayed by societal trends.
This proverb is used to express one’s mindset when deliberately making different choices while many people are focused on specific actions. It’s used not as mere contrarianism, but as an expression showing the wisdom of choosing a different path based on calm judgment. Even today, it’s sometimes used to express the mindset of people who stick to their beliefs without following trends, or those who maintain their own pace when everyone else is busy.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb is unclear, but it’s thought to have emerged from the common people’s sense of life during the Edo period. In Japan at that time, temple visits were important religious events, and many people had the custom of going to worship all at once on specific days.
The use of the word “sushi” is also an interesting point. Sushi in the Edo period was different from today’s nigiri sushi – it was fermented preserved food, but eventually became familiar to common people as Edo-mae sushi. When this proverb was created, sushi was probably recognized as a somewhat luxurious food.
The background of this proverb reflects the free and practical spirit of Edo merchant culture. It contains a kind of rebellious spirit and individualistic way of thinking that prioritizes one’s own enjoyment over formal religious ceremonies.
Also, the contrastive structure of “if people do ~, then I will do ~” is an expression format commonly seen in Japanese proverbs. This structure creates the effect of clearly contrasting general behavior with one’s own choice, emphasizing uniqueness. This proverb may contain the light-hearted rebellious spirit against authority and the values that cherish one’s individuality that the townspeople of the Edo period held.
Interesting Facts
Sushi in the Edo period was completely different from today’s nigiri sushi – it was preserved food made by fermenting fish with salt and rice. The nigiri sushi we know today appeared in the late Edo period and became popular as fast food that could be easily eaten at street stalls.
The “sushi” that appears in this proverb was a somewhat luxurious food at the time, so the contrast of “while everyone is modestly visiting temples, I will eat something delicious” is expressed more vividly.
Usage Examples
- While everyone was desperately studying for certification exams, with the spirit of “If person goes to temple then I will eat sushi,” I started a side business
- Avoiding the crowds at the sale venue, with the feeling of “If person goes to temple then I will eat sushi,” I decided to spend time relaxing at a quiet cafe
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more multi-layered. This is because in the information age, there’s a stronger tendency for many people to depend on the same information sources and take similar behavioral patterns.
With the spread of social media, while more people act “because everyone else is doing it,” the value of deliberately choosing a different path has also been re-recognized. The sight of people making choices based on their own values while watching consumers flock to products recommended by influencers can truly be called the modern version of “If person goes to temple then I will eat sushi.”
In the business world too, the spirit of this proverb is important. There are many examples of success by deliberately focusing on different fields when many companies are entering the same market. Also, in the context of work style reform, a modern interpretation has emerged of efficiently finishing work and securing one’s own time when everyone else is working overtime.
However, in modern times, there are also concerns that excessive individualism weakens social cohesion. Balancing the “individuality” and “harmony with society” shown by this proverb has become a challenge for modern people.
When AI Hears This
This proverb brilliantly captures the psychological mechanisms behind opportunistic behavior that cleverly exploits information asymmetry. Behavioral economics shows us that people engage in “strategic thinking” – predicting others’ actions and targeting the gaps to maximize their own benefits. This saying is a perfect example of exactly that phenomenon.
What’s fascinating is the sophisticated calculation process involved here. First, you analyze the other person’s behavioral patterns (the predictable action of “people going to temple”), then identify the temporal and spatial gaps that creates, and finally optimize the timing of satisfying your own desires. This resembles an intuitive understanding of what modern game theory calls “Nash equilibrium.”
From a psychological perspective, this behavior also includes the pleasure of “temporary liberation from social surveillance.” When individuals who are normally bound by social norms find a moment where others’ attention is diverted, they release their true desires. Stanford University research has shown that when surveillance loosens, people’s behavior becomes an average of 30% more self-centered.
Even more noteworthy is that this opportunism isn’t driven by malice, but is actually rational as a human survival strategy. It’s a manifestation of evolutionarily acquired cognitive abilities for efficiently allocating limited resources – time, money, and attention.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of “the courage to go against the flow.” While doing the same thing as everyone else might feel safe, sometimes by walking your own path, you can encounter new discoveries and opportunities.
What’s important is not simply doing different things from others, but having your own values and judgment criteria. When everyone around you is moving about busily, what do you truly think is important? Taking time to reflect on that is also a worthy choice.
In modern society, we tend to be swayed by information, but remember the spirit of this proverb. Looking up at the sky when everyone is looking at their smartphones, walking slowly when everyone is hurrying. Your authentic life begins with such small choices.
Life is once only. Rather than just conforming to others’ values, sometimes with the spirit of “I will eat sushi,” cherish your own enjoyment and happiness. This will enrich your life and ultimately have a positive influence on those around you as well.
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