How to Read “Better the paper of Ebisu than the god of Izumo”
Izumo no kami yori ebisu no kami
Meaning of “Better the paper of Ebisu than the god of Izumo”
This proverb means that something close and accessible is more reliable than something grand but far away. No matter how wonderful something is, it can’t help you in times of trouble if it’s out of reach.
Even if it’s small, something nearby that you can use right now has more practical value. This is the core teaching of the proverb.
People use this expression when they want to teach someone about practical judgment. It’s especially relevant when someone is too focused on ideals or authority and overlooks what’s actually useful.
In difficult situations, it’s wiser to use small help nearby than to wait for great power from afar. This shows practical wisdom.
Even today, people use this saying when substance matters more than brand names or titles.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records explain the origin of this proverb. However, we can make interesting observations from how the words are structured.
“The god of Izumo” likely refers to Okuninushi and other deities enshrined at Izumo Grand Shrine in Shimane Prefecture. Izumo Grand Shrine has been known since ancient times as one of Japan’s most spiritually powerful shrines. Worshippers traveled from far away to visit it.
“The paper of Ebisu” probably means talismans or amulets of Ebisu, the god of business prosperity.
This proverb likely emerged from the everyday sensibilities of common people during the Edo period. Traveling all the way to distant Izumo required both time and money.
It was more practical to put an Ebisu talisman in your home and pray to it daily. This reflected how people actually lived their lives.
The use of “paper” is also interesting. By choosing “paper” instead of referring to the god directly, the proverb shows common people’s practical wisdom. They valued actual effects over formality or authority.
This saying teaches that getting reliable help within reach is more important than chasing ideals. It uses the familiar example of religious faith to make this point.
Interesting Facts
Ebisu is one of the Seven Lucky Gods. Originally a god of fishing, he became widely worshipped by common people as a god of business prosperity during the Edo period.
Merchant families especially hung Ebisu talismans at their shop entrances. They prayed daily for safe business. Only wealthy people could afford to visit Izumo Grand Shrine, but anyone could obtain an Ebisu talisman.
This economic gap of the time likely forms part of the proverb’s background.
This proverb uses the homophones “kami” (god) and “kami” (paper), creating a wordplay element. The sounds are the same but the meanings differ.
This contrast between distant and near, ideal and reality, becomes more striking through the wordplay.
Usage Examples
- I thought about consulting a famous expert, but better the paper of Ebisu than the god of Izumo—I asked a senior nearby and solved it right away
- Rather than dreaming of partnerships with big companies, better the paper of Ebisu than the god of Izumo—let’s value our local clients first
Universal Wisdom
This proverb has been passed down because it brilliantly captures two opposing aspects of human nature. We are beings who pursue ideals, yet we must also live practical daily lives.
Everyone feels drawn to wonderful things far away. It’s natural to be attracted to things with authority, fame, or grandeur.
However, when we actually face difficulties, what saves us isn’t those distant ideals. It’s the concrete help within our reach.
This proverb doesn’t reject idealism. Rather, it teaches the importance of balancing ideals with reality.
Taking action with the small power you have now gets you closer to your goals than waiting endlessly for great power from afar. This is a truth about life.
Our ancestors understood well that humans tend to drown in ideals and lose sight of reality. That’s why they left us this proverb encouraging us to reconsider the value of familiar things.
Even as times change, this aspect of human nature remains constant. That’s why this proverb still resonates with us today.
When AI Hears This
The human brain struggles with multiplying probability and value. Especially as probability approaches 100 percent, people evaluate that value higher than it actually is.
For example, suppose visiting Izumo shrine gives you a 1 percent chance of receiving 1 million yen in blessings. The expected value is 10,000 yen. Meanwhile, Ebisu paper—a 1,000 yen bill in front of you—is 100 percent certain to be worth 1,000 yen.
In expected value, Izumo is 10 times better, yet humans choose the certain 1,000 yen. This is the certainty effect.
What’s more interesting is that human value judgments use the current state as a reference point. For someone with zero yen now, 1,000 yen has concrete value that changes their life. They can eat a meal or ride a train.
But the 1 percent chance of winning 1 million yen gets compressed in the brain to “almost zero.” The 1,000 yen that certainly moves you away from the reference point of zero has higher psychological value.
In Kahneman’s experiments, people choose certain $3,000 over 80 percent chance of $4,000, even though the expected value is lower. It’s not that they can’t calculate probability accurately.
The brain is designed to feel excessive value in certainty itself. This proverb has survived thousands of years perhaps because humanity evolved as a species bad at probability calculations.
The instinct to choose the certain present over an uncertain future was the correct survival strategy in times of famine.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people the importance of not seeking perfection too much. Do you feel anxious seeing someone’s success on social media? Do you keep searching for ideal answers and become unable to act?
In today’s world, information overflows everywhere. This makes us keep searching, thinking “there must be a better way.”
But by using the small help in front of you, you can actually solve many problems. Ask a senior you can talk to rather than searching for the perfect expert. Start with your current environment rather than waiting for ideal conditions.
These small steps accumulate and move you forward.
What matters is developing eyes that recognize the value of nearby resources. You already have much help around you. Family, friends, colleagues, local communities.
They may not be famous people, but they understand you and can immediately extend a helping hand. Chase distant ideals while also appreciating the solid support nearby.
That balance is the path to a fulfilling life.
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