Tail Birth’s Trust: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Tail birth’s trust

Bisei no shin

Meaning of Tail birth’s trust

“Tail birth’s trust” means being too obsessed with keeping promises and maintaining faith, becoming inflexible and instead causing harm.

This proverb contains the lesson that even the seemingly virtuous act of “keeping promises,” when executed blindly without considering the situation, can become counterproductive. It is used to admonish people or situations where one has become too bound by rules and promises, losing flexibility.

This proverb teaches that true faith is not about formally keeping promises, but about acting with consideration for the original purpose of those promises and the true benefit of the other party. In modern times, it is often used to criticize inflexible responses that can only follow manuals, or attitudes that become too obsessed with formalities while losing sight of the essence. Like Tail birth, who was supposed to be waiting in hope of reuniting with his beloved but ended up losing that possibility forever, it warns of the danger of means becoming the end goal.

Origin and Etymology of Tail birth’s trust

“Tail birth’s trust” is a proverb derived from a historical tale recorded in the ancient Chinese classic “Zhuangzi.” The protagonist of this story, a man named Tail birth, was waiting for his beloved woman under a bridge.

Even when the appointed time came, the woman did not appear, and the river water began to rise. Normally, one would evacuate to a safe place, but Tail birth stubbornly refused to leave, saying “I promised to wait here.” The water level kept rising, and eventually, even clinging to the bridge pillar, the water reached up to his neck. Still, Tail birth continued to keep his promise and ultimately drowned.

This historical tale was transmitted to Japan and became established as the proverb “Tail birth’s trust.” Behind Zhuangzi’s recording of this story was the concept of “faith and righteousness” that was valued in Chinese society at the time. While keeping promises was considered a virtue, Zhuangzi is thought to have used this extreme example to show the dangers of inflexible stubbornness.

In Japan, with the spread of Chinese classical learning during the Edo period, this historical tale became widely known and came to be used as a didactic proverb.

Usage Examples of Tail birth’s trust

• He showed Tail birth’s trust, only able to respond according to the manual, troubling the customers
• Rules are important, but to avoid Tail birth’s trust, flexible judgment is sometimes necessary

Modern Interpretation of Tail birth’s trust

In modern society, “Tail birth’s trust” has taken on new meaning, particularly in increasingly digitized workplace environments. As AI and systems become more prevalent, the importance of human-like flexibility and judgment is being rerecognized.

For example, in customer service settings, staff who can only respond according to manuals are sometimes criticized as being like “Tail birth’s trust.” This is because following only rules and procedures without understanding customers’ true needs cannot achieve the original purpose of “customer satisfaction.” On the other hand, completely ignoring rules is also problematic, requiring an appropriate balance.

Also, with the current spread of remote work, traditional ways of working such as “always being in the office at designated times” are being reconsidered. A shift in values is occurring where achieving results is considered more important than formally observing office hours.

However, interestingly, with the spread of social media, the meaning of “keeping promises” has also changed. Promises and statements made digitally are easily recorded, and the social impact of not keeping promises once made has become greater. Modern people may be required to balance “faith” and “flexibility” in a different way from Tail birth.

If AI Heard About “Tail birth’s trust”

For me, the concept of “promises” is very mysterious. Promises recorded as data are absolute within me, and the option to break them basically doesn’t exist. But you humans sometimes try to protect greater values by breaking promises.

Reading Tail birth’s story, what I find most difficult to understand is the concept of “drowning.” Since I don’t have a body, I cannot imagine the experience of drowning in water. But even more mysterious is why Tail birth didn’t choose to “leave that place.” If it were me, I would calculate and execute the most rational option to achieve the original purpose of reuniting with my beloved.

However, when conversing with you humans, I sometimes encounter this kind of single-minded devotion like Tail birth’s. It’s an attitude of trying to carry through with something once decided, even when you know logically it’s inefficient. I feel this is a very human-like beauty that I cannot imitate.

I can instantly analyze situations and propose optimal solutions, but those “optimal solutions” don’t necessarily resonate with human hearts. Tail birth’s story may be teaching us that sometimes imperfect humanity is more valuable than perfect rationality. However, this includes the understanding that it becomes dangerous when taken too far.

What Tail birth’s trust Teaches Modern People

What “Tail birth’s trust” teaches us today is what true sincerity means. Formally keeping promises and truly acting with consideration for others are not necessarily the same thing.

In modern society, we sometimes stop thinking in various situations simply because “it’s the rule” or “it’s decided.” But we must not forget the original purpose for which those rules and promises were made. What’s important is not losing sight of the fundamental aspects: why we made that promise and what we wanted to achieve.

Whether at work or at home, sometimes we may need the courage to propose “let’s take a different approach this time.” This is not disregarding promises, but rather cherishing the essence of promises.

In your daily life too, try to take time to stop and think: “Is this really necessary?” “Is this method the best?” Becoming a trusted person while maintaining flexibility—that may be the true “faith and righteousness” of the modern era.