How to Read “金の草鞋で尋ねる”
Kin no waraji de tazuneru
Meaning of “金の草鞋で尋ねる”
“Search wearing gold straw sandals” expresses the act of seeking something or someone extremely precious and hard to obtain, no matter how much hardship it may require.
This expression means to search around even while wearing straw sandals made of gold, the most valuable material, showing an attitude of searching so earnestly and continuously over a long period. It’s not simply “searching,” but an expression filled with strong will to spare no effort in seeking precious things that cannot normally be obtained.
It is used in situations such as when looking for excellent human resources, when wanting to find craftsmen with special skills, or when searching for an ideal marriage partner. Even today, it’s used in expressions like “If there’s such excellent talent, I’d want to find them even if I had to search wearing gold straw sandals,” simultaneously expressing both the high value of that person or thing and the seriousness of the searcher. The reason for using this expression is to convey to the other party a feeling of recognizing special value beyond simply “searching.”
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Search wearing gold straw sandals” can be traced to literature from the Edo period. The background of this expression is deeply connected to the difficulties of travel at that time and the special nature of straw sandals as footwear.
Straw sandals were footwear woven from straw that would wear down and tear when walking long distances, making them consumable items. On the other hand, gold was recognized as the most valuable material that never changes eternally. The expression “gold straw sandals,” which combines these contradictory properties, was precisely a symbol of something impossible in reality.
For people in the Edo period, traveling to distant places was a life-threatening major undertaking. Roads were not well-maintained, and there were dangers from bandits and wild animals. Even in such circumstances, no matter how precious the gold straw sandals one wore, there was the reality that they would inevitably wear down during a long journey.
The background to this expression taking root likely lies in the people of that time having the real sense that “no matter how well one prepares, truly difficult searches for things or people cannot be easily found.” Through the unrealistic setting of gold straw sandals, this is a word filled with the wisdom of our ancestors who skillfully expressed the difficulty of searching and seeking.
Interesting Facts
It was actually impossible to make straw sandals from gold. Gold is too soft and lacks the elasticity and durability necessary for walking. In other words, this proverb was an expression created from the beginning on the premise of “something impossible.”
The price of straw sandals in the Edo period was about several mon per pair, but the same weight in gold would be equivalent to several hundred thousand yen in today’s value. For people of that time, this extreme price difference likely made the impressiveness of this proverb stand out.
Usage Examples
- I’m thinking I’d want to headhunt that company’s engineer even if I had to search wearing gold straw sandals
- If there’s a craftsman who can make such cuisine, I’d want to meet them even if I had to search wearing gold straw sandals
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has changed significantly. This is because the widespread adoption of the internet has fundamentally changed the concept of information searching.
People searches and information gathering that were once difficult enough to require “Search wearing gold straw sandals” can now be accomplished instantly using SNS and search engines. Finding experts on LinkedIn or searching for rare products on Google has become a routine activity. In the modern era where there’s no need to physically walk around, the literal meaning of this proverb is fading.
However, precisely because we live in an increasingly digitized modern age, new interpretations are also emerging. The importance of having the discernment to identify “truly valuable things” amid overflowing information is increasing. What appears at the top of search results is not necessarily the best, and truly excellent human resources and genuine technology remain things that are not easily found.
Also, with the spread of remote work, it has become possible to search for human resources beyond geographical constraints. Companies that search for optimal talent from around the world with the kind of enthusiasm of “Search wearing gold straw sandals” are also increasing. The modern version of “gold straw sandals” might perhaps be high-speed internet connections and the latest search technology.
When AI Hears This
Comparing the Edo period practice of “searching with golden sandals” to modern search engines reveals a fascinating paradox in information acquisition. According to psychology’s “levels of processing effect,” the more effort we invest in obtaining information, the more deeply it becomes embedded in our memory. In other words, information gained through days of walking around and searching gets treated as “precious” by our brains and is more likely to stick in our long-term memory.
In contrast, while people worldwide conduct approximately 34,000 searches per day, most of this information is forgotten within seconds. Information obtained instantly through Google tends to be processed as “disposable information” because the acquisition cost is nearly zero.
Even more noteworthy is the difference in “awareness of reliability.” Information gathered on foot is remembered along with the facial expressions and vocal tones of sources, as well as surrounding circumstances. This naturally develops our ability to judge information quality. However, search results are highly anonymous with unclear information backgrounds, making critical thinking less likely to engage.
Even today, certain fields still emphasize “field research” and “face-to-face interviews” because they provide added value that digital information cannot offer: “context,” “human relationships,” and “serendipitous discoveries.” In our efficiency-driven era, perhaps it’s precisely the “golden sandals” approach that creates the true value of information.
Lessons for Today
“Search wearing gold straw sandals” teaches modern people the importance of discerning what is truly valuable. Precisely because we live in an era overflowing with information, it’s important to cultivate the ability to find what we should truly seek without being misled by superficial information.
This proverb teaches us about “the difference in value between things that are easily obtained and things obtained through hardship.” Precisely because we live in an era where anything can be obtained with one click, we must not forget the value of searching and seeking by investing time and effort.
The same can be said about encounters with people. While it’s an era where we can easily connect through SNS, people with whom we can truly communicate heart to heart, or mentor-like figures who help us grow, are indeed valuable enough to “Search wearing gold straw sandals.”
What’s important for us living in the modern era is to discern what is worth wearing “gold straw sandals” for. What is truly important for your life? When you find that, you’ll surely feel that no effort is too much to spare.
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