How to Read “金は天下の回り物”
Kane wa tenka no mawari mono
Meaning of “金は天下の回り物”
“Money is heaven’s under circulating thing” means that money does not stay in one place, but continues to flow by circulating around the world.
This proverb expresses the natural principle of wealth circulation. A person who is wealthy today may eventually lose that money, and money may someday come to a person who is poor today. This is not mere wishful thinking, but an observation that captures the essence of economic activity.
It is used to comfort or encourage people who are in financial difficulty, or conversely, to encourage humility in those who have gained wealth. It is also an expression that teaches the importance of taking a long-term perspective on things without being overly concerned about money.
Even today, this saying is understood as an easy-to-understand expression of the concept of economic circulation. It expresses the basic mechanism of economic activity, where money creates value by being used and creates new wealth.
Origin and Etymology
Regarding the origin of “Money is heaven’s under circulating thing,” no literature showing a clear origin has actually been preserved. However, it is believed that the development of commercial society during the Edo period is deeply involved in the background of this proverb’s creation.
From the mid-Edo period onward, as commerce developed and the monetary economy penetrated even to common people, it is presumed that this saying was born from observations about money circulation. Particularly in commercial cities like Edo and Osaka, merchants witnessed the movement of money daily.
People of this era saw how money never stayed in one place but constantly moved from person to person, and they must have noticed that it circulated like flowing water. Examples of wealthy merchants falling into ruin and poor people succeeding were not uncommon.
Also, as ideological background of the Edo period, the Buddhist concept of “all things are impermanent” and the Confucian concept of “the way of heaven” are thought to have had influence. The worldview that sees the flow of money as heavenly providence and that wealth circulates within a great flow beyond human power may be at the root of this proverb.
It is presumed that it became established in its current form as it was passed down among common people.
Interesting Facts
Merchants of the Edo period often used the term “kane mawari” (money circulation). This expression is still used today, but as a word expressing the good or bad flow of money, it is thought to have had a close relationship with this proverb.
Interestingly, the expression “tenka” (heaven’s under) that appears in this proverb not only simply means “the world,” but for people of that time also had the specific meaning of “all territories ruled by the shogun.” In other words, a grand perspective was embedded that money circulates throughout all of heaven’s domain, transcending social status and regions.
Usage Examples
- Things are tough now, but money is heaven’s under circulating thing, so surely good times will come someday
- That company was very successful for a while, but as they say, money is heaven’s under circulating thing
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Money is heaven’s under circulating thing” has taken on new meaning in the context of the global economy. With the development of the internet and financial technology, the flow of money moves instantly across national borders, truly becoming a “circulating thing” on a global scale.
However, in modern times, the entrenchment of inequality has become a problem, and there is also the reality that the “wealth circulation” that is the premise of this proverb is not necessarily functioning. A situation has emerged where more wealth is concentrated among the wealthy, and it doesn’t easily reach ordinary people.
On the other hand, new economic mechanisms such as crowdfunding and the sharing economy are circulating money in forms different from before. New routes for money flow are being created as individuals become direct investors or monetize their skills.
Also, with the emergence of cryptocurrency, the very concept of money is changing. Digitized money has come to “circulate” faster and more widely.
Some modern people misunderstand this proverb as justifying consumption with the meaning “if you spend money, more will come in,” but originally it was a saying expressing the circulation of the entire economy. It does not encourage individual wasteful spending, but teaches the importance of understanding long-term economic flows.
When AI Hears This
The choice of the word “tenka” (realm under heaven) reveals the economic acuity of Edo period people. Rather than simply using “seken” (society) or “yo no naka” (the world), they deliberately chose “tenka” – a concept with defined boundaries. This is precisely what modern economics calls a “closed economic system.”
During Japan’s Edo period, the isolationist sakoku policy severely restricted the outflow of gold and silver overseas. This meant the domestic money supply remained essentially constant, with that limited amount of gold continuously circulating among samurai, merchants, craftsmen, and farmers. Modern economics calls this state “monetary neutrality” – a theory suggesting that in the long term, money doesn’t affect the real economy but simply circulates.
What’s fascinating is that today’s global economy has fundamentally the same structure. From a planetary perspective, money merely circulates within the “tenka” of Earth. From America to China, from China to Europe, and back to America again – it keeps moving as a true “revolving thing.”
When Edo commoners thought “even if we’re poor now, money will eventually come around,” this wasn’t mere consolation. It was the result of instinctively grasping the inevitability of monetary circulation within a limited economic sphere. They had acquired the same insight as modern economists – as everyday wisdom, 300 years ahead of their time.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of not being overly concerned about economic situations and maintaining a long-term perspective. Even if times are difficult now, that is not permanent. Conversely, even if things are going well now, it’s important to remain humble without becoming arrogant.
In modern society, we easily see others’ success and wealth through social media and such, and we sometimes get depressed by comparison. However, this proverb reminds us that “what we see now is just a momentary snapshot.”
It also teaches us the significance of properly circulating money. Money activates the economy when used and creates new value. Both excessive saving and unplanned wasteful spending hinder healthy circulation.
You too might be facing some kind of economic worry right now. But it’s okay. Money will definitely keep moving. What’s important is to continue your own efforts while entrusting yourself to that flow. If you do so, surely a good flow will come your way too.
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