How to Read “閑古鳥が鳴く”
Kankodori ga naku
Meaning of “閑古鳥が鳴く”
“Cuckoo bird cries” is a proverb that describes a lonely situation where hardly anyone comes, especially when a business is not thriving and customers have stopped coming.
This proverb is used when places that should normally be lively have fallen silent. It expresses situations where no one is present in stores, theaters, event venues, and other places that are normally overflowing with people, by overlaying this with the quiet scenery of a cuckoo crying in the deep mountains.
It’s not simply about being “quiet,” but contains the gap between expectation and reality – “this place should be much more vibrant than this.” It’s not used for places that are naturally quiet, like libraries. It’s specifically an expression used when places where liveliness was expected turn out to be disappointingly quiet.
For merchants, this is a particularly poignant expression that accurately captures this lonely situation, such as newly opened stores or during periods of declining sales. However, it often describes temporary situations, and generally refers to poor performance during limited periods like “today” or “recently,” rather than a permanently declined state.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Cuckoo bird cries” lies in the call of an actual bird. The cuckoo bird refers to the cuckoo (kakko).
The cuckoo is a migratory bird that comes to Japan from spring to summer, known for its distinctive “cuckoo, cuckoo” call. This call sounds like “kanko, kanko,” which is thought to be how it came to be called the “cuckoo bird” (kankodori).
What’s interesting is the relationship between the cuckoo’s ecology and human settlements. Cuckoos prefer deep mountains and forests, often letting their calls echo in quiet places far from human habitation. The way their lonely-sounding calls reverberate through mountain valleys, especially during the quiet hours of early morning and evening, has long made a deep impression on the Japanese heart.
Additionally, cuckoo calls have the characteristic of carrying far distances. It’s precisely because of the quiet environment that their voices stand out even more distinctly. This natural phenomenon was likely incorporated into the proverb as a symbol of unpopulated, lonely places.
Records remain of this expression being used in Edo period literature, showing that it has been a beloved expression among Japanese people for a long time. It’s a beautiful proverb born from the sensitivity of people of old who were attuned to the sounds of nature.
Interesting Facts
Cuckoos actually have an interesting habit called “brood parasitism.” They live quite brazenly, not building their own nests but laying eggs in other birds’ nests to have them raised. They sneak into the nests of bush warblers, shrikes, and other birds to lay their eggs, having their young raised without the host birds knowing.
During the Edo period when the expression “Cuckoo bird cries” was born, shop owners whose businesses were actually struggling may have used these words to lament their circumstances while somehow humorously accepting the situation. The refined sensibility of Japanese people is expressed in describing serious situations through bird calls.
Usage Examples
- The newly opened cafe is in a state where cuckoo bird cries again today, and I’m starting to worry
- Despite all the preparation for the cultural festival performance, cuckoo bird cries and I’m feeling deflated
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the expression “Cuckoo bird cries” has come to be used in more diverse situations. Beyond traditional stores and theaters, it’s increasingly used to describe situations like websites with low traffic, social media posts with no responses, or online events that fail to attract participants.
A particular characteristic of the digital age is that “unpopularity” can be clearly seen in numbers. What used to be a vague sense of “somehow having few customers” at a store is now confronted with concrete figures like “0 page views,” “0 likes,” or “1 participant.” This might be a harsher reality than in the past.
On the other hand, modern times tend to view “Cuckoo bird cries” situations as temporary. This is because there’s a high possibility of dramatic change through viral social media posts or sudden popularity through word of mouth. Even in situations that would have been given up on in the past, there’s hope for recovery through marketing and promotional ingenuity.
There are also people who actively seek “Cuckoo bird cries” situations. This reflects changing values – wanting to avoid crowds and spend time quietly, or finding hidden gem establishments. An interesting change observed in the post-COVID era is that situations with few people are not necessarily negative anymore.
When AI Hears This
The “kankodori” (literally “quiet old bird”) doesn’t actually exist. This is a masterpiece of Japanese wordplay, born from a clever pun where the cuckoo’s “kakko” call was interpreted as “kaku ko” (calling customers).
When ancient Japanese people heard the cuckoo’s call, they felt as if it was crying “customers, come!” But ironically, in the remote mountain areas and isolated places where cuckoos actually sing, no customers would ever come. This contradictory situation became the perfect metaphor for expressing “the loneliness of calling for customers when no one shows up.”
What makes this even more fascinating is how the characters for “kanko” were chosen. “Kan” represents quietness and idleness, while “ko” suggests something old and desolate—visually capturing the exact situation of a struggling business. The linguistic brilliance lies in how both the sound and the written meaning align perfectly.
Even today, many people assume there’s actually a bird called “kankodori” because this wordplay is so natural and masterfully crafted. The shared understanding of this particular kind of “loneliness”—so compelling that people invented an entire bird to express it—has kept this phrase alive for over 400 years.
Lessons for Today
When we face “Cuckoo bird cries” situations, there’s surprisingly much we can learn. First, this situation is never permanent. Just as cuckoos leave when seasons change, periods of poor performance will eventually pass.
What’s important is making effective use of quiet time. When there are few customers, it’s also a chance to review service quality, develop new ideas, or spend time on skill improvement. While cuckoo bird cries, we can prepare for the next leap forward.
Also, this situation teaches us humility. Issues and areas for improvement that weren’t visible during smooth times can become apparent precisely because of quiet periods. Being able to listen more carefully to each customer’s voice is also a privilege of less busy times.
In modern times, there’s no need to be ashamed of “Cuckoo bird cries.” In an era that values diversity, things that don’t appeal to everyone but are deeply loved by specific people have recognized value. Even if it’s quiet now, people who understand your true worth will surely appear. Don’t rush – wait for that time while cherishing your authenticity.
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