How to Read “刀折れ矢尽きる”
Katana ore ya tsukiru
Meaning of “刀折れ矢尽きる”
“Sword breaks arrows exhaust” is a proverb that describes a state where one has exhausted all available strength and means, with no options left to pursue.
However, this does not simply mean being in a “hopeless situation.” It refers to a situation where all means have been exhausted as a result of fighting with full effort until the very end. In other words, it describes a state that results from making every possible effort, not a deadlock arising from giving up or laziness.
This proverb is used when someone who has continued to face difficult circumstances has finally tried every possible method. Examples include business situations where various measures were taken to make a project successful, but funds and personnel were ultimately exhausted, or exam preparation where every conceivable strategy was implemented but there is nothing more that can be done.
The reason this expression is used in modern times is to emphasize that it represents “results after giving one’s all” rather than mere failure. It contains the pride of having fought without giving up until the end, and the refreshing feeling of having done everything that should have been done.
Origin and Etymology
“Sword breaks arrows exhaust” is a proverb born from scenes of samurai warfare. Swords and arrows were the most important weapons for samurai since ancient times. The sword was essential for close combat, while arrows were the main weapons for long-distance attacks.
This expression describes a state in battle where all weapons have become unusable. When the sword breaks and all arrows have been shot, there are no more means to fight. However, what’s important here is the process leading up to this situation.
It means that the samurai continued fighting with their lives on the line, wielding their sword until it broke and shooting arrows until their quiver was empty. In other words, this proverb does not simply represent defeat, but depicts the situation after fighting with full effort until the very end.
From the Heian period through the Kamakura period, such expressions were used in military tales depicting samurai battles, and it’s believed they gradually became established as common proverbs. During the Warring States period, there was even a teaching among samurai precepts that said “fight until your sword breaks and arrows are exhausted.”
This proverb embodies the Japanese spirit of “never giving up until the end,” and has been passed down as an expression with deep meaning that transcends mere physical circumstances.
Interesting Facts
The expression that a sword “breaks” actually has deep meaning. Japanese swords were made of extremely hard steel, so under normal use they might bend but rarely broke. A sword breaking was proof of having continued such intense battle.
Also, samurai carried spare arrows in a “quiver,” typically around 20 arrows. Therefore, “arrows being exhausted” meant drawing the bow at least 20 times, signifying quite a long period of combat.
Usage Examples
- We tried various ideas for new product development, but finally reached a state of sword breaks arrows exhaust and the project was cancelled
- As a parent, I’ve done everything possible regarding my son’s career path, but now I’m in a sword breaks arrows exhaust situation
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of “Sword breaks arrows exhaust” has been subtly changing. In our information age, we have come to possess nearly infinite options and means. We can find new methods by searching the internet, and get advice on different approaches through social media.
Therefore, situations where we can truly say we have “exhausted all means” may be far fewer than in the past. Modern people constantly think there might be methods they haven’t tried yet, making it difficult to completely give up.
On the other hand, modern society has created its own unique “Sword breaks arrows exhaust” situations. For example, the constraint of time. No matter how many means are available, when time runs out for entrance exams, job hunting, or project deadlines, we reach a state where our “arrows are exhausted.”
Also, exhaustion from information overload can be considered a modern form of “sword breaking.” Being overwhelmed by too many choices and information can cause our judgment itself to “break.”
What’s interesting is that in modern times, strategic withdrawal before reaching “Sword breaks arrows exhaust” is often considered virtuous. In business, there’s the concept of “cutting losses,” where changing direction early is considered wiser than fighting to the bitter end. This represents a way of thinking that contrasts with the samurai spirit.
When AI Hears This
The order of weapon depletion in this proverb reveals a complex interweaving of battlefield reality and samurai ideals. In actual combat, arrows were finite consumables that would run out first. Records from Heian period battles show that warriors typically carried 20-30 arrows per person and would exhaust their supply within hours of combat beginning.
Yet in “sword breaks, arrows run out,” the sword breaks first. This reflects not physical reality but rather the samurai’s values toward combat. The sword symbolized the warrior’s soul and was considered the weapon that should be used most intensely and courageously. Therefore, using it so thoroughly that it “breaks” first represented the ideal way of fighting.
Meanwhile, the expression that arrows “run out” contains calculated restraint. Archery was a martial art requiring technique and judgment, where not a single arrow could be wasted. Having arrows remain until the very end meant the warrior maintained composure and never lost strategic thinking, even in the final moments.
This sequence thus depicts an ideal samurai who should passionately wield the sword while simultaneously calculating how to preserve arrows as the ultimate trump card. It expresses the image of a contradictory yet perfect warrior who embodies both fierce emotion and cool composure.
Lessons for Today
What “Sword breaks arrows exhaust” teaches us today is “the value of giving our all.” Regardless of the outcome, the fact that we put forth all our strength becomes an undeniable treasure.
Modern society emphasizes efficiency, and avoiding “wasted effort” is often considered wise. However, this proverb offers a different perspective. Sometimes, fighting to the very end has more meaning than strategic withdrawal.
Especially in life’s important moments, this spirit demonstrates its power. When facing things we cannot easily give up—entrance exams, job hunting, relationships with important people, realizing dreams—by making effort until we reach “Sword breaks arrows exhaust,” we can make choices without regret.
And if we truly exhaust all means, we can proudly accept the results. The refreshing feeling of “having done everything possible” also becomes the driving force for the next challenge. If you’re troubled by something now, there might still be an unbroken sword and arrows you haven’t shot yet. Please use them carefully, down to the very last one.
Comments