How to Read “雉も鳴かずば撃たれまい”
Kiji mo nakazuba utaremai
Meaning of “雉も鳴かずば撃たれまい”
This proverb expresses the meaning “If one had not said unnecessary things, one would not have invited disaster.”
In other words, it is a teaching that warns against falling into difficult situations through careless remarks or actions when one would have been safe by remaining silent. Like a pheasant that would have avoided being found by hunters if it had not called out, it contains the wisdom that humans too can sometimes protect themselves by being cautious with their words.
This proverb is mainly used when someone gets involved in trouble due to rash words or actions. It is used when someone ends up causing troublesome situations by making unnecessary remarks or taking conspicuous actions in situations where nothing would have happened if they had just remained silent.
Even in modern times, we can feel the meaning of this lesson in situations where careless posts on social media invite online backlash, or where unnecessary remarks in the workplace create complications in human relationships.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb does not have clear records in Japan’s classical literature or historical documents, but it has been established as a lesson passed down among Japanese people since ancient times.
The habits of the bird called kiji (pheasant) are deeply involved in the formation of this proverb. Pheasants are birds that originally live by hiding in grasslands and thickets, but they have a strong territorial instinct, and especially during breeding season, they make distinctive “keen-keen” calls that echo far and wide. These calls are very loud and can be heard from great distances, so even when hiding, their location can be easily discovered.
From before the Edo period, pheasants were targets of hunting. Since hunters relied on pheasant calls to find their prey, this expression is thought to have originated from the observation that “if they hadn’t called out, they wouldn’t have been shot.”
The social structure of Japan also influenced the widespread use of this proverb. In times when the class system was strict, people knew firsthand the danger of saying unnecessary things and attracting unwanted attention. Through the habits of pheasants, this can be said to be distinctly Japanese wisdom that expressed the survival strategy of “silence is golden.”
Interesting Facts
The pheasant is designated as Japan’s national bird, but it actually has a very timid personality. Usually it quietly spends time hiding in grasslands, but during breeding season it suddenly starts calling loudly – truly embodying the habits that this proverb represents.
Also, pheasant calls are loud enough to reach over one kilometer away, and for people in ancient times, they were a reliable clue for locating pheasants. When measured by modern noise levels, they reach about 90 decibels, which is equivalent to the sound level of a passing train.
Usage Examples
- That person should not have said unnecessary things in the meeting – Pheasant too if not cry would not be shot
- If she hadn’t posted on social media, it wouldn’t have become a problem – truly Pheasant too if not cry would not be shot
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more complex and multifaceted. In the information age, where a single statement or action can instantly spread around the world, the lesson of “Pheasant too if not cry would not be shot” has gained unprecedented importance.
With the spread of social media and the internet, we constantly face the risk of becoming “crying pheasants.” It’s not uncommon for casual posts to go viral and significantly affect an individual’s life. The concept of privacy has also changed, and information once released online is difficult to completely erase in this era.
However, on the other hand, modern society has also reevaluated the value of “speaking up.” Speaking out on social issues, whistleblowing on injustices, creative expression – the power to change society is also born from actively “crying out.” There are many situations where maintaining complete silence is not necessarily the best course of action.
Progress is also being made in creating environments where one can “cry without being shot,” such as corporate compliance and internal whistleblowing systems, and guaranteeing freedom of expression. In modern times, this proverb should perhaps be understood not as simply recommending silence, but as guidance teaching the importance of timing, methods, and resolve in speaking.
We in the digital age need new wisdom to discern when to cry out and when to remain silent.
When AI Hears This
Male pheasants make loud “keen-keen” calls in spring, which is a biologically unavoidable behavior. When the hormone testosterone is secreted, they cannot help but call for courtship and territorial assertion, even though they understand the risk of being spotted by predators.
Humans actually have the same mechanism. According to neuroscience research, when emotions run high, the amygdala, which governs emotions, works more strongly than the prefrontal cortex, which governs reason. In other words, even when we know in our heads that “it would be better to stay quiet,” we end up opening our mouths impulsively due to anger or excitement.
What’s particularly interesting is that both pheasants and humans have a desire to “show themselves off” that overrides danger. Pheasants call to show “I am a strong male,” while humans end up speaking to show “I am right” or “I am important.”
Furthermore, once both begin calling (or speaking), they find it difficult to stop. This is because dopamine, a pleasure chemical, is released in the brain, creating an impulse to “keep going.”
This proverb is not merely a lesson, but an insight that could be called a precursor to human behavioral science, sharply capturing the conflict between the fundamental “desire for self-expression” and “danger avoidance instinct” that living beings possess.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us in modern times is deep insight about the power and responsibility that words hold. We need to engrave in our hearts anew that speech always comes with consequences.
However, this is definitely not a teaching that forces silence. What’s important is acquiring the wisdom to discern when to speak up and when to remain quiet. If your words might hurt someone, be cautious, but if they might save someone, you’re required to speak with courage.
In modern society, the speed of information dissemination has dramatically increased. That’s why taking a breath before speaking has become even more important. By developing the habit of asking yourself “Are these words really necessary?” and “How would this sound if I put myself in the other person’s position?”, you can avoid unnecessary trouble.
At the same time, don’t forget the courage to convey what is right. Pheasants cry because it’s instinct. The sense of justice and love within you are also important instincts that should sometimes be expressed. Cultivating wise judgment while also listening to the voice of your heart. That balance is the greatest gift this proverb gives to those of us living in modern times.
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