How to Read “The two things a house cannot do without are the entrance step and a wife”
Ie ni nakute naranu mono wa agari-kamachi to nyōbō
Meaning of “The two things a house cannot do without are the entrance step and a wife”
This proverb means that the truly essential and irreplaceable things in a household are the entrance step at the entryway and one’s wife.
The entrance step is the basic structure that physically makes a house function as a house. The wife is the central figure who supports family life.
This proverb is used when discussing priorities and essential values in family life. It makes us think about what is truly necessary, not superficial luxury or appearances.
Even with fine furnishings and spacious rooms, a house cannot function without the basic entrance step. Similarly, no matter how wealthy, life cannot be sustained without a wife who supports the household.
While modern views on gender roles have changed, the essence of this proverb lies in its teaching to “discern what is truly important in family life.”
It conveys the universal truth that basic and reliable things supporting daily life hold irreplaceable value, not flashiness or luxury.
Origin and Etymology
The exact literary origin of this proverb is unclear. However, it is believed to have emerged from the daily lives of common people during the Edo period.
“Agari-kamachi” refers to the step at the entrance where people sit to enter the house from the earthen floor. In Edo-period Japanese homes, this entrance step was not just a step.
It was an important boundary separating outside from inside. In Japanese lifestyle where people remove shoes before entering, without the entrance step, there would be no distinction between the earthen floor and living space.
The house would not function properly.
“Nyōbō” means wife. In Edo-period households, the wife managed all household affairs and was the central figure supporting family life.
Cooking, laundry, cleaning, childcare—all household activities depended on the wife’s work.
By pairing these two elements, the proverb contrasts something indispensable to the physical structure of a house with someone indispensable to running a household.
It embodies the wisdom of common people who tried to discern what is truly necessary from both aspects: the house as a building and the household as a way of life.
The phrase has a light, rhythmic quality that makes it easy to use in everyday conversation. This likely contributed to its widespread popularity.
Usage Examples
- When building a new house, I now understand what my father meant when he said the two things a house cannot do without are the entrance step and a wife, rather than fancy equipment
- I advised my son, who wants this and that, that the two things a house cannot do without are the entrance step and a wife, so the basics are what matter
Universal Wisdom
This proverb has been passed down through generations perhaps because humans easily lose sight of what is essential. We are often captivated by conspicuous or glamorous things and overlook what truly matters.
When building a house, people dream of impressive reception rooms and luxurious decorations. But if the entrance step used daily is not solid, even the finest house becomes inconvenient.
Similarly, no matter how affluent one’s lifestyle, without a partner supporting daily life, the heart remains unfulfilled.
The brilliance of this comparison lies in placing an object and a person side by side. This highlights their common trait: “importance so ordinary it goes unnoticed.”
We use the entrance step casually every day, so we forget to appreciate its existence. Likewise, because a wife handles household tasks as a matter of course, we easily overlook her labor.
Humans tend to find value in flashy things, but true richness exists in the plain, unnoticed everyday. Our ancestors embedded this life truth in these simple words.
They teach us to appreciate what deserves gratitude in the closest places. Don’t be dazzled by glamour—look at the solid things beneath your feet.
This attitude is the secret to living a fulfilling life.
When AI Hears This
This proverb demonstrates an important principle in system design: distinguishing between “replaceable elements” and “irreplaceable elements.”
The entrance step is part of the house structure, made of standardized lumber. If it breaks, you can buy lumber of the same size and replace it. It has redundancy.
On the other hand, a wife is a unique individual, irreplaceable. This is non-redundancy. Interestingly, while the proverb says “both are necessary,” it implicitly shows their natures are complete opposites.
Modern infrastructure design uses the same thinking. For example, airplane engines and computer servers have multiple backups prepared for failures. Parts are standardized so they can be replaced anytime.
However, the control program managing the entire system and the customer database are unique. These require not replacement but multiple backups and strict protection.
Resource allocation also differs. Replaceable parts get low-cost mass production. Irreplaceable elements receive concentrated budget for high reliability and protection.
This proverb strikes at the essence of design philosophy: how to allocate limited resources and how to position each system element.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the truth that “irreplaceable value exists in the ordinary.”
We pursue new and exciting things daily. The latest gadgets, stylish interiors, trending spots on social media. But what truly matters is the entryway we use casually every day and the family always by our side.
Modern society makes us lose sight of the value in unnoticed things. But think about it. What really supports your life?
Is it flashy decorations or the basic facilities you use every day? Is it glamorous social circles or the people close to you who care about you daily?
This proverb teaches the importance of cultivating grateful eyes. Not just on special days, but in ordinary daily life, things deserving gratitude overflow.
Having a home to return to today. Having someone waiting there. How precious that ordinariness truly is.
Why not look at your feet again? Turn your attention to what truly supports your life. When you notice it, your daily life will surely begin to shine.
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