How to Read “虚仮の一心”
koke no isshin
Meaning of “虚仮の一心”
“Folly’s one heart” means that even those who are foolish and insignificant can surely achieve results if they approach things with single-minded dedication.
The “folly” here represents foolishness or immaturity, and is by no means a word of self-deprecation. Rather, it is a positive teaching that even without being blessed with talent or ability, sincere effort and concentration can produce results that more than compensate for these shortcomings.
This proverb is particularly used when one is about to give up on something or has lost confidence in their abilities. It has been cherished as a phrase that reminds us of the importance of continuous effort in situations where we tend to give up thinking “I have no talent” or “I’m not smart enough.” Even today, it is used as words of encouragement for people who continue steady efforts in various fields such as learning, work, and sports.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Folly’s one heart” is deeply rooted in Buddhist terminology. “Folly” is a word that means “something untrue” or “something false” in Buddhism, representing the fundamental Buddhist thought that all phenomena in this world have no substance and are temporary forms.
On the other hand, “one heart” is a Buddhist term referring to a state of concentrating one’s mind on a single thing. It is a particularly important concept in Zen Buddhism, representing the spiritual state of training where one clears away distracting thoughts and focuses the mind on just one thing.
The background to the birth of this proverb lies in Japan’s Buddhist culture. From the Heian period to the Kamakura period, as Buddhist thought spread widely among common people, technical terms used among monks and believers gradually came to be passed down as general teachings.
The influence of Zen Buddhism was particularly strong, and it became established as the teaching that “even those who are foolish and insignificant can surely achieve results if they approach things with single-minded dedication.” This expression can also be found in Edo period literature, showing that it was valued as part of bushido and craftsmen’s principles. It can be said to be a typical example of profound Buddhist teachings being sublimated into practical everyday wisdom.
Interesting Facts
The word “folly” is often read as “koke” in modern times, but in the original Buddhist terminology, it was read as either “koke” or “kyoke.” The fact that there were differences in pronunciation depending on region and sect is considered one of the reasons why dictionaries still differ in their pronunciation today.
Interestingly, the expression “koke ni suru” (to make a fool of, to look down upon) was also born from this “folly,” and it’s fascinating how words with the same etymology are used in positive meanings praising effort on one hand, and in negative meanings looking down on others on the other hand.
Usage Examples
- He was never skillful, but through Folly’s one heart, continuing to practice every day, he finally achieved victory in the competition.
- Though I was constantly told I had no talent, the research I pursued with Folly’s one heart has finally been recognized.
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Folly’s one heart” has taken on new meaning, especially in increasingly competitive environments. In an era where the development of AI technology has made humans inferior to machines in simple tasks and computational ability, it can be said that the value of “continuous effort” and “single-minded dedication” that this phrase represents has actually increased.
In the modern era where social media has become widespread, others’ successes and talents have become more visible, and more people feel inferior when comparing themselves to others. Precisely because of such times, the concept of “continuity over talent” taught by “Folly’s one heart” serves as emotional support for many people.
Also, amid modern work style reforms and efficiency-focused trends, this proverb is sometimes misunderstood. While it tends to be interpreted as the theory that “working desperately hard is good,” the original meaning emphasizes not simply the quantity of effort, but the quality of concentration and continuity.
In the modern age of information overload, while the difficulty of approaching one thing with “one heart” has increased, its value has simultaneously risen. Precisely because we live in an era that demands multitasking, the attitude of “one heart” – concentrating on what is truly important – has become the key to success.
When AI Hears This
What amazes modern cognitive scientists is how perfectly “the single-minded devotion of a fool” captures the human brain’s illusion systems.
Take confirmation bias, for example. This is the brain’s habit of “collecting only information that supports one’s beliefs.” The more wrong a person’s ideas are, the more desperately they search for evidence to support those ideas while ignoring opposing views. This is exactly a state of “the single-minded devotion of a fool.”
Even more fascinating is how this aligns with cognitive dissonance theory. According to this theory discovered by psychologist Festinger, when people encounter contradictory information, they feel intense stress, and to relieve that stress, they actually strengthen their incorrect beliefs. In other words, the more their mistakes are pointed out, the more stubborn they become.
Research in behavioral economics has proven that people losing money in stock investments tend to strengthen their baseless conviction that “prices will surely rise.” This too is a典型example of the single-minded devotion of a fool.
Most remarkable of all is that advances in neuroscience have revealed this phenomenon is connected to the functioning of the prefrontal cortex. People in the Edo period had identified this troublesome characteristic of the human brain without any of our sophisticated modern equipment. We can say that our ancestors’ powers of observation matched the precision of contemporary science.
Lessons for Today
What “Folly’s one heart” teaches modern people is the courage to accept our imperfect selves and the importance of continuing to walk forward despite that.
In today’s era, we are constantly in an environment where we are compared to others. On social media, only the images of successful people stand out, making our own imperfections seem more prominent. But this proverb teaches us that “it’s fine to be foolish.” What matters is not running away from our current selves, but continuing to focus our hearts on one thing.
While modern society tends to emphasize efficiency and immediate results, truly valuable things are nurtured over time. The attitude of single-minded dedication becomes a precious experience that not only produces results, but also allows us to deeply know ourselves and grow in the process.
Moreover, this phrase teaches us kindness toward others. Precisely because everyone has “foolish” aspects, we can recognize each other’s efforts and support one another. If we start from the premise that no one is perfect, we should be able to build warmer human relationships.
Starting today, why don’t we stop being ashamed of our “foolish” aspects and instead use them as our starting point to walk forward with one heart.
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