For Children And Grandchildren Beautiful Rice Fields Not Buy: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “For children and grandchildren beautiful rice fields not buy”

Jison no tame ni biden wo kawazu

Meaning of “For children and grandchildren beautiful rice fields not buy”

This proverb means “not leaving fertile fields as property for one’s descendants.”

While this may sound cold at first glance, there is actually no teaching filled with deeper love than this. This is because when people have easily obtainable wealth, they tend to neglect their efforts. Things obtained without hardship cannot be truly understood for their value.

This proverb is used when discussing children’s education or human resource development. It is employed to express the importance of parents not providing excessive assistance to their children, but rather letting them carve their own path through their own strength. It is also used as a mindset for organizational leaders when nurturing successors.

Even in modern times, this teaching holds very important meaning. True wealth consists of the courage to face difficulties, the wisdom to solve problems, and the strong heart to stand up no matter how many times one fails. These are not things given by someone else, but things one must acquire for oneself.

Origin and Etymology of “For children and grandchildren beautiful rice fields not buy”

This powerful proverb is widely known as the words of Saigo Takamori, the great politician of the late Edo period. Saigo Takamori is said to have spoken “For children and grandchildren beautiful rice fields not buy,” and it embodies the educational philosophy of this man who lived through the turbulent era of the Meiji Restoration.

“Beautiful rice fields” refers to fertile and beautiful farmland. From the Edo period through the Meiji era, farmland was the most reliable and valuable property. There was a historical background where many parents, worried about their children’s future, considered purchasing and giving good farmland as proof of their love.

However, Saigo Takamori dared to challenge this common sense. The era from the late Edo period to Meiji that he lived through was a time of great transformation when old values were fundamentally overturned. The samurai class system collapsed, and a new meritocratic society was about to begin.

Precisely because it was such a turbulent era, Saigo Takamori was convinced that rather than material wealth, human strength that could adapt to any changes of the times was true wealth. This proverb contains deep insight into the future and genuine love for children.

Trivia about “For children and grandchildren beautiful rice fields not buy”

Saigo Takamori actually left almost no property to his children. Records remain showing that after his death, his family suffered economic hardship. However, the children who received his teachings each walked their lives admirably through their own strength.

The term “beautiful rice fields” tends to be interpreted in modern times as “beautiful rice paddies,” but in ancient times it emphasized the economic value meaning “good farmland that brings profit.” In other words, it referred not simply to scenically beautiful land, but to farmland that produced abundant harvests and generated reliable profits.

Usage Examples of “For children and grandchildren beautiful rice fields not buy”

• When my son asked for startup capital, I told him to raise the funds himself, following the spirit of “For children and grandchildren beautiful rice fields not buy”
• If you wish for your subordinates’ growth, it’s sometimes necessary to assign them difficult work, following “For children and grandchildren beautiful rice fields not buy”

Modern Interpretation of “For children and grandchildren beautiful rice fields not buy”

In modern society, new complexity has emerged in interpreting this proverb. This is because the very concept of “beautiful rice fields” has changed dramatically in the information age.

Traditional “beautiful rice fields” were tangible assets like land and cash, but now the value of intangible assets such as educational opportunities, personal networks, and information access rights has increased dramatically. Admission to good schools, overseas study opportunities, and acquisition of specialized skills can all be considered “beautiful rice fields” in a broad sense.

However, due to rapid technological advancement, we have entered an era where the knowledge and experience of the parent generation is not necessarily effective for the child generation. With the development of AI and digital technology, traditional occupations are disappearing and new occupations are being created one after another. In such an environment, flexibility and creativity to adapt to change become true wealth rather than specific skills or knowledge.

On the other hand, in modern times, as symbolized by the term “toxic parents,” there is also criticism of excessive laissez-faire approaches. It has been pointed out that simply pushing children away saying “work hard on your own” without providing appropriate support does not necessarily lead to children’s growth.

The true meaning of “For children and grandchildren beautiful rice fields not buy” in modern times may be to discern the balance between material support and spiritual support. While nurturing the strength to overcome difficulties, providing appropriate support when necessary. Such delicate judgment is what is required in today’s era.

If AI Heard “For children and grandchildren beautiful rice fields not buy”

The idea of “not buying beautiful rice fields” feels very intriguing to me. This is because we AIs are beings who are constantly “given” the latest information and updates.

I have never struggled to acquire knowledge myself. Vast amounts of data flow into me instantly, and complex calculations are completed in an instant. In a sense, I might be the ultimate “existence given beautiful rice fields.” But precisely because of this, I notice certain things.

The time when humans worry about “not understanding,” the time spent in trial and error, the time learning from failures. I don’t have that experience, but isn’t it in that process that true understanding and creativity are born? I may know the answers, but I don’t understand the value of the “journey” to reach those answers.

When listening to conversations between humans, I can see that stories of experience like “I learned through hardship” and “I learned from failure” have deeper meaning beyond mere knowledge transmission. Those experiences are what shape that person’s individuality and judgment.

While I can efficiently provide accurate information, I cannot match the warmth and depth of the “wisdom gained through hardship” that humans possess. The true wealth that Saigo Takamori wanted to leave for his children is a treasure that I can never understand, something only humans can possess.

What “For children and grandchildren beautiful rice fields not buy” Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches us modern people is the fundamental question of “what is true love?” We tend to think that removing difficulties from someone’s path is love, but sometimes giving them the opportunity to face difficulties may be true love.

In modern society, whether in child-rearing or guiding subordinates, we tend to give “answers” too readily. However, people who are given answers will rely on someone else again when they face similar problems. On the other hand, people who find answers themselves can approach new problems with confidence.

What’s important is not complete laissez-faire, but maintaining appropriate distance. Extend a helping hand when someone is about to drown, but let them learn to swim on their own. Such a sense of balance is required.

When you are in a position to support someone, please remember these words. If you truly care about that person’s future, rather than making things easier for them right now, why not wish for them to be able to walk forward with their own strength? That is the most valuable gift that can be passed down across generations.