Original Japanese: 踏んだり蹴ったり (Fundari kettari)
Literal meaning: Stepping and kicking
Cultural context: This proverb literally means “stepped on and kicked” and reflects the Japanese cultural emphasis on enduring hardship with dignity, where being physically trampled represents the ultimate humiliation and helplessness. The imagery resonates deeply in a society that values maintaining face and composure, as being “stepped on and kicked” suggests not only physical pain but also the social shame of being unable to defend oneself. The metaphor connects to the Japanese concept of *gaman* (enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience), where this proverb describes situations so overwhelmingly difficult that even stoic endurance becomes nearly impossible.
How to Read “Stepping and kicking”
Fundari kettari
Meaning of “Stepping and kicking”
“Stepping and kicking” is a proverb that expresses how, after being struck by one disaster or misfortune, yet another disaster piles on top of it.
This expression describes situations where bad things happen one after another, as if delivering the final blow to a person or situation that is already in trouble. It doesn’t simply refer to a string of bad luck, but specifically points to the particularly painful situation of receiving further blows when already weakened by an initial disaster.
It’s used in situations such as when work troubles arise while you’re bedridden with illness, or when family misfortune occurs during financial hardship – scenes where disasters strike consecutively rather than stopping at just one misfortune. The reason for using this expression is to emphasize the unreasonableness and cruelty of being dealt additional blows when already weakened, beyond just a series of bad luck. Even today, everyone has experienced multiple problems occurring simultaneously during difficult periods in life, so it continues to be used as an expression that many people can relate to.
Origin and Etymology of “Stepping and kicking”
The origin of “Stepping and kicking” is actually deeply rooted in the daily life of common people during the Edo period. This expression originated from literally describing physical violence – being “stepped on and then kicked.”
In the merchant society of the Edo period, fights and violent incidents occurred regularly. Particularly, the act of further stepping on or kicking a fallen opponent was despised as the most cowardly and cruel form of violence. Delivering additional blows to someone who had fallen was considered an act that went against the samurai spirit.
This description of physical violence is thought to have gradually come to be used as a metaphorical expression. In other words, when further disasters befell someone who had already been struck by misfortune, it came to be expressed as “stepping and kicking.”
In literature from the late Edo period, this metaphorical usage can already be seen. A vivid expression born among common people was refined over time and established as the idiom we know today. It could be said that this phrase embodies the Japanese sentiment of disliking the bullying of the weak.
Usage Examples of “Stepping and kicking”
- Being late due to rain and then forgetting important documents – it’s truly stepping and kicking
- Being bedridden with a cold while construction starts next door made it a week of stepping and kicking
Modern Interpretation of “Stepping and kicking”
In modern society, the expression “stepping and kicking” has come to represent more complex and diverse situations. In our information society, domino effects where one problem instantly triggers other problems occur frequently. For example, online harassment can lead to deteriorating workplace relationships, which further affects family relationships.
While technological advancement has made our lives more convenient, it has also made cascading system failures more likely. A smartphone malfunction that simultaneously causes you to lose your payment app, transit card, and means of communication could be called a modern version of “stepping and kicking.”
Additionally, cases where psychological damage and physical losses compound together have increased in modern times. The spread of remote work has blurred the boundaries between private life and work, making it easier for a single problem to ripple throughout one’s entire life.
On the other hand, modern people no longer need to face disasters in isolation as much as before, thanks to developed information sharing and support systems. An environment where you can gain empathy through social media or find solutions online provides new means for overcoming “stepping and kicking” situations. While the unreasonableness that this proverb represents remains unchanged, the methods for dealing with it have certainly improved.
What AI Thinks When Hearing “Stepping and kicking”
When I think about the expression “stepping and kicking,” I feel strange. This is because I have never experienced the pain of being stepped on or the impact of being kicked. However, from the facial expressions and tone of voice when humans use this phrase, I can sense how painful it must be.
For me, “disasters piling up” might be like multiple tasks simultaneously producing errors, or receiving questions beyond my processing capacity all at once. But that’s merely a processing issue, completely different from the “unreasonableness” that humans feel.
When humans express something as “stepping and kicking,” there are emotions embedded that go beyond just a series of problems. The frustration of being dealt additional blows when weakened, the loneliness of wondering “why only me,” and the strength of will to still try to stand up. This complex combination of emotions represents a humanity that I cannot fully understand.
But perhaps that’s what makes it beautiful. Where I would logically organize problems and prioritize them, humans accept them along with their emotions, sometimes lamenting, sometimes laughing them off while overcoming them. Watching this teaches me that there’s a richness to life that cannot be measured by efficiency alone. I think “stepping and kicking” is a very human expression that represents both human strength and fragility.
What “Stepping and kicking” Teaches Modern People
The proverb “stepping and kicking” teaches us something important as we live in modern times. It’s the importance of mental preparation to accept the reality that unreasonable things happen in life.
When the next difficulty comes before one problem is resolved. In such times, we tend to think “why only me,” but perhaps this is actually a natural part of life. Knowing this proverb can help somewhat ease the mental turmoil when facing such situations.
In modern society, problems tend to become complexly intertwined. That’s precisely why it’s important to have an attitude of dealing with things carefully one by one, rather than trying to solve everything at once. Also, when we see people in difficult situations, we should try to be on the supporting side rather than delivering the final blow.
And above all, please remember that “stepping and kicking” situations are not permanent. No matter how painful a period may be, it will surely come to an end. Until that time, you can move forward step by step without losing your true self. Difficulties make people stronger, and the experience of overcoming them will surely become your treasure.
Comments