How to Read “亀の甲より年の功”
Kame no kō yori toshi no kō
Meaning of “亀の甲より年の功”
This proverb means that no matter how precious or impressive something may appear, the wisdom and skills cultivated through years of experience are actually more valuable.
It teaches us that the experience and knowledge gained through aging, as well as the judgment and insight acquired throughout life, possess true value that surpasses superficial worth or impressive appearances. This proverb is particularly used when young people tend to dismiss the advice of their elders or focus only on new things.
It is also used in situations where one takes a positive view of aging. It expresses the idea that wisdom gained from life experience, rather than physical beauty or material wealth, is true treasure. Even today, this expression is often used when evaluating the skills and judgment of veteran craftsmen and experienced individuals.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Turtle’s shell rather than year’s merit” is deeply connected to the special reverence for turtles that has been believed in Japan since ancient times.
In ancient Chinese philosophy that was transmitted to Japan, turtles, along with cranes, have been symbols of longevity. The turtle’s shell, in particular, was treasured as something that harbored mystical power due to its hardness and beautiful hexagonal patterns. In China, there was a divination practice called “kiboku” where turtle shells were burned for fortune-telling, and this was also transmitted to Japan.
The background to the birth of this proverb lies in such reverence for turtle shells. The idea is that no matter how precious and mystical turtle shells may be considered, the experience and wisdom that humans have accumulated over many years is more valuable in actual life.
Since this expression can be found in Edo period literature, it is considered a proverb that has been cherished among Japanese people for at least several hundred years. The Japanese cultural background of respecting elders and valuing experience has nurtured this proverb. By referencing turtles, creatures that are both familiar yet mystical, it expresses the value of year’s merit in a more memorable way.
Interesting Facts
Turtle shells were actually treated as extremely precious items. During the Edo period, combs and ornaments made from turtle shells were representative luxury goods, coveted by women of samurai and merchant families. Because it compares with such expensive turtle shells, this proverb gains persuasive power.
Interestingly, turtles actually live much longer than humans. Galápagos tortoises can live for over 100 years. Yet the fact that “year’s merit” is considered more valuable than turtle shells is evidence that it emphasizes not mere length but the quality and depth of experience.
Usage Examples
- The newcomer’s proposal is good, but turtle’s shell rather than year’s merit – let’s follow the department manager’s judgment
- The latest machines are convenient, but as they say turtle’s shell rather than year’s merit, they can’t match the craftsman’s handwork
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the values of this proverb are being greatly shaken. This is because the IT revolution and digitalization have led to cases where younger generations are more proficient with new technologies and sometimes produce better results than their elders.
Particularly in fields like smartphones, SNS, and AI technology, digital native sensibilities are often valued more than age. In startup companies, CEOs in their twenties are not uncommon, and there are many situations where the traditional concept of “year’s merit” doesn’t apply.
However, in areas such as building human relationships, crisis management, and long-term perspective judgment, the value of experience remains undiminished. During unprecedented situations like the COVID pandemic, the wisdom of experienced individuals who had overcome past difficulties played important roles.
In modern times, we need to reinterpret “Turtle’s shell rather than year’s merit” not as simple superiority based on age, but as “depth of experience in that field.” We’ve entered an era where young people demonstrate their “year’s merit” in technical fields, while elders show theirs in areas where life experience is important. Perhaps the modern meaning of this proverb is a society that recognizes diversity while making use of each other’s experience. A society that acknowledges diversity while utilizing each other’s accumulated experience may be the contemporary meaning of this proverb.
When AI Hears This
When you magnify a turtle’s shell, a beautiful hexagonal honeycomb structure emerges. This hexagonal pattern is known as one of nature’s most efficient shapes, achieving maximum strength with minimal materials. In fact, honeycomb structures are applied in modern aircraft and construction materials, with their excellent strength-to-weight ratio being scientifically proven.
Human experiential knowledge actually has a similar structure. Individual experiences are like dots, but as years pass, these dots connect into lines, eventually forming a web-like network. For example, failures from youth, workplace successes, and relationship troubles—seemingly unrelated events—interconnect with each other, creating a complex structure of wisdom.
The key feature of this wisdom network is that even when one part is damaged, the whole doesn’t collapse. Just as a turtle’s shell isn’t a single plate but composed of multiple hexagons that can disperse localized impacts, humans can cover failures in specific areas with wisdom learned from other experiences.
The reason elderly people’s advice is so accurate is because they can instantly find optimal solutions from this densely woven network of experience.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of reconsidering the value of experience. Precisely because we live in an information-saturated modern age, don’t we need to rerecognize the weight of wisdom gained through actual experience?
The difficulties you’re facing now are also precious experiences that will become your future “year’s merit.” All experiences, including failures and setbacks, become treasures in your life. Also, by listening to the words of elders around you, your own perspective will broaden.
At the same time, for those who have aged, while taking pride in their own experience, flexibility to accept changes in new eras is also important. When fresh ideas from younger generations combine with deep experience from veterans, the most wonderful results are born.
Regardless of age, it would be wonderful if we could build relationships where we acknowledge and learn from each other’s “year’s merit.” Your experience is surely a treasure that can help someone too.
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