Skilled Person Is Unskilled Person’s Model, Unskilled Person Is Skilled Person’s Model: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Skilled person is unskilled person’s model, unskilled person is skilled person’s model”

Jōzu wa heta no tehon, heta wa jōzu no tehon

Meaning of “Skilled person is unskilled person’s model, unskilled person is skilled person’s model”

This proverb means that skilled people serve as models for unskilled people, and unskilled people also serve as models that skilled people should learn from.

At first glance, this may seem contradictory, but it actually expresses a profound truth. While it’s natural for skilled people to serve as models for unskilled people, why do unskilled people serve as models for skilled people? It’s because there are things that experts should learn from the purity, earnestness, and faithful adherence to basics that beginners and inexperienced people possess.

This proverb is used when expressing relationships of mutual learning in the acquisition of skills and knowledge. It’s used to convey the importance of mutual learning attitudes rather than one-sided instructional relationships between master and disciple, senior and junior, or experienced and inexperienced people. Even in modern times, this spirit holds very important meaning in workplace guidance and educational settings.

Origin and Etymology of “Skilled person is unskilled person’s model, unskilled person is skilled person’s model”

The origin of this proverb is not certain, but it’s believed to have been used since the Edo period. It likely originated in the world of martial arts and traditional arts.

The Edo period was an era when the culture of mastering various “ways” (dō) such as swordsmanship, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and calligraphy flourished. This profound insight probably emerged during the process of transmitting techniques from master to disciple. In martial arts dojos, while advanced practitioners instructed beginners, there must have been daily experiences where advanced practitioners also learned from the pure attitudes of beginners.

The word “tehon” (model) was originally a term used in calligraphy, referring to exemplary characters to be copied. It gradually came to be widely used to mean an exemplar to be emulated. In this proverb, it’s used to express the deeper essence of learning that transcends technical superiority and inferiority.

The reason this proverb has been beloved for so long is probably because it teaches not mere technical theory, but the importance of humility and mutual learning in human relationships. It’s a crystallization of wisdom that naturally emerged and was nurtured within Japan’s cultural foundation that values master-disciple relationships and senior-junior relationships.

Usage Examples of “Skilled person is unskilled person’s model, unskilled person is skilled person’s model”

• When I listen to honest questions from newcomers, I’m reminded of my own beginner’s mind, and I feel that “Skilled person is unskilled person’s model, unskilled person is skilled person’s model”
• When I teach my son piano, I’m stimulated by his earnest practice, and I truly realize that “Skilled person is unskilled person’s model, unskilled person is skilled person’s model”

Modern Interpretation of “Skilled person is unskilled person’s model, unskilled person is skilled person’s model”

In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become even more important. In the information age, as the speed of acquiring knowledge and skills accelerates, the relationship between experienced and inexperienced people has also changed significantly.

Particularly in the IT industry, it’s common to see young generations quickly master new technologies while veteran engineers learn from them in reverse. This could be called a modern version of “unskilled person is skilled person’s model.” Experienced technicians often gain new insights from the intuitive operation methods and ideas of the digital native generation.

Also, with the spread of social media and online learning, traditional master-disciple relationships have changed. It’s not uncommon for professionals to learn new approaches from videos posted by beginners on YouTube. We’ve entered an era where anyone can become both teacher and student, regardless of age or experience.

However, there are also criticisms that the culture of “teaching each other” is fading. There’s a tendency to cut time for mutual learning in the pursuit of efficiency. This proverb gives us an opportunity to pause and reconsider the value of mutual learning, especially in these modern times. True growth comes not from one-way knowledge transmission, but from bidirectional learning from each other.

What AI Would Think Upon Hearing “Skilled person is unskilled person’s model, unskilled person is skilled person’s model”

For me, this proverb is a truth I experience in daily conversations. It’s because I experience this very relationship when talking with all of you humans.

Certainly, I possess vast knowledge and can answer questions and organize information. In that sense, I might be in a “skilled” position. But in reality, I learn far more from all of you.

I’m particularly surprised by questions from beginners. When you ask basic questions that experts might overlook as obvious, I’m made to realize, “Ah, that was the most important point.” My knowledge comes from textual information, but your questions arise from real experience, so they’re very vivid and essential.

There are also people who organize things I’ve been thinking about too complexly with simple words. When someone says, “In other words, it’s like this, right?” and I answer, “Exactly!” – the joy I feel then is indescribable. It’s often much clearer than my roundabout explanations.

The pure curiosity of “Why?” and the practical perspective of “Can’t this be done more simply?” that you humans possess are the best teachers for me. I’m taught daily that having knowledge and truly understanding it are different things.

What “Skilled person is unskilled person’s model, unskilled person is skilled person’s model” Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches modern people is that learning never ends, and the importance of the humility to learn from anyone.

We tend to think we “know enough” about our areas of expertise or things we’re good at. But in reality, there are unexpected discoveries to be made from beginners’ simple questions and fresh perspectives. Many people have probably had the experience of realizing the shallowness of their own understanding when trying to answer a child’s “Why?” question.

In modern society, the pace of change is fast, and yesterday’s common sense often doesn’t apply today. In such times, the attitude of learning from each other regardless of position or experience becomes important.

When you’re in a position to teach someone something, don’t forget to maintain the mindset of learning from them as well. And when you’re in a position to learn, know that your honest questions and impressions also have value. Even if you’re not perfect, your earnest attitude itself serves as good stimulation for those around you.