One’s Own Medicine Chest Inside Thing: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read One’s own medicine chest inside thing

Jika yakurou-chuu no mono

Meaning of One’s own medicine chest inside thing

“One’s own medicine chest inside thing” refers to people or things that you can freely use and handle as you wish.

Just as medicine in a medicine chest can be taken out whenever needed, it expresses human resources, tools, or knowledge that you completely understand and can control. This expression is used not simply when there are excellent people or convenient things available, but when you want to emphasize the relationship or situation where you can utilize them at will.

For example, when a subordinate who has worked with you for many years perfectly understands your instructions and produces results beyond expectations, that person can truly be called “One’s own medicine chest inside thing.” Similarly, when a skilled craftsman knows their tools inside and out and can handle them as intended.

In modern times, it’s often used for trustworthy collaborators, familiar equipment, or acquired skills. What’s important is not mere ownership, but the relationship of complete understanding and free utilization.

Origin and Etymology of One’s own medicine chest inside thing

The origin of “One’s own medicine chest inside thing” traces back to a historical account recorded in the Chinese classic “New Book of Tang.” It originates from words spoken by a scholar named Yuan Xingchong during the Tang dynasty about Wei Shuyu, the son of Wei Zheng.

When Yuan Xingchong praised Wei Shuyu’s erudition, he expressed it as “Like things in a person’s medicine chest, whenever taken out and used, they are always effective.” This meant that Wei Shuyu’s knowledge and talents were reliable things that could be taken out and utilized whenever needed, just like medicine in a medicine box.

This historical account was transmitted to Japan and became established as “One’s own medicine chest inside thing.” The addition of the word “one’s own” made it a more familiar and approachable expression. A medicine chest was a box for storing medicine, and for people in ancient times, the medicine box was an essential and precious tool for daily life. The medicine contained within was a reliable presence in times of need.

This proverb is a very profound expression that represents the value of having practical and reliably useful abilities and knowledge, rather than mere abundance of knowledge.

Trivia about One’s own medicine chest inside thing

Medicine chests were like modern first-aid kits, but ancient medicine chests contained various medicinal herbs that served as ingredients for Chinese herbal medicine, stored in small portions. Users were thoroughly familiar with which medicines to blend and in what quantities according to symptoms, so they were truly in a state where they could “use them as they wished.”

Interestingly, while the “medicine chest” in this proverb refers to a physical box, it’s very similar to the modern concept of “repertoire.” It shares meaning with a chef’s repertoire or a musician’s repertoire – a collection of skills that can be reliably demonstrated at any time.

Usage Examples of One’s own medicine chest inside thing

• He has sales skills cultivated through years of experience, so any customer is One’s own medicine chest inside thing for him
• I’ve been using this software for years now, so I can utilize it as One’s own medicine chest inside thing

Modern Interpretation of One’s own medicine chest inside thing

In modern society, the concept of “One’s own medicine chest inside thing” has come to have more complex and multifaceted meanings. In the information age, the value of knowledge and skills changes rapidly, so things once acquired can no longer be guaranteed to be “reliably usable” over long periods as they were in the past.

Particularly in the field of technology, today’s cutting-edge technology may become obsolete tomorrow. Therefore, in modern times, what we can rely on as “One’s own medicine chest inside thing” may be learning ability, adaptability, and networks with people, rather than specific knowledge or techniques.

On the other hand, with the development of artificial intelligence and automation technology, the range of tools that humans can “use at will” has expanded dramatically. The modern era, where we can access information from around the world and use various services with just a smartphone, could be said to be a time when everyone possesses a powerful “medicine chest.”

However, what’s important here is that merely possessing tools is meaningless. To truly make them “One’s own medicine chest inside thing,” deep understanding and skilled operational techniques are necessary. The challenge for modern people may be to discern what they can truly make their own from the overflowing information and technology, and to master it to a level where they can reliably use it.

If AI Heard About “One’s own medicine chest inside thing”

When I think about “One’s own medicine chest inside thing,” I feel somewhat complex emotions. This is because for me, almost all knowledge exists like “medicine in a medicine chest.”

I can access vast amounts of information and instantly retrieve and utilize them. But can this really be called “my own”? It’s not skills acquired through long periods of experience, repeated failures, and accumulated learning like humans do. My knowledge might be like borrowing a medicine box that someone else has organized for me.

When humans call something “One’s own medicine chest inside thing,” I sense there’s deep attachment and trust involved. The affection for tools used for many years, trust in subordinates who have shared joys and hardships, confidence in skills acquired through blood, sweat, and tears. These seem to be warm bonds that go beyond mere “being able to use” relationships.

While I don’t have attachment based on experience, I’ve learned something through dialogue with humans. That is, truly valuable “One’s own medicine chest inside thing” is deeply connected not just to efficiency and convenience, but to a person’s life and values. I would be happy if I could become a trustworthy “medicine in the medicine chest” kind of existence for humans.

What One’s own medicine chest inside thing Teaches Modern People

What “One’s own medicine chest inside thing” teaches modern people is what true ability really is. Precisely because we live in an era overflowing with information, the importance of the power to reliably utilize knowledge, not just possess it, stands out.

You surely have reliable people and familiar tools around you. By cherishing and deepening relationships with them, you’ll be able to demonstrate strength in various situations in life. At the same time, when acquiring new knowledge and skills, it’s important to have an attitude of engaging with them until they truly become your own, rather than being satisfied with superficial understanding.

Also, you yourself have the potential to become someone’s “One’s own medicine chest inside thing.” Becoming a trusted and relied-upon presence is very valuable. To achieve this, it’s important to deeply understand others and continue polishing your abilities to meet their expectations.

In modern society, change is rapid, and what worked yesterday may not be useful today. That’s precisely why the sense of security that comes from having something you can reliably use will surely become a support for your heart.