How to Read “国破れて山河あり”
Kuni yaburete sanga ari
Meaning of “国破れて山河あり”
This proverb means that even when political power or artificial institutions collapse, nature and essential things continue to remain unchanged.
It expresses how even when national systems fail due to war or political upheaval and cities become desolate, natural landscapes like mountains and rivers continue to exist there unchanged from the past. This doesn’t merely describe the permanence of nature, but also suggests the transience of human-created power and institutions, and the existence of universal values that transcend them. As for usage scenarios, it is used to express trust and hope in unchanging essential things during times of political turmoil or social transformation. It is also used when one should look back at fundamental and enduring values without being confused by superficial changes. In modern times, it is also understood in contexts where people rediscover the importance of things that cannot be lost when experiencing organizational changes or personal setbacks.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb originates from the opening line “Country destroyed mountains rivers remain” of “Spring View,” a masterpiece by the Tang Dynasty Chinese poet Du Fu. Du Fu witnessed the devastation of the capital Chang’an caused by the An Lushan Rebellion that occurred in 755, and expressed his feelings in this poem.
“Spring View” is a poem that describes the spring scenery of a capital destroyed by war, continuing with “Country destroyed and mountains rivers remain, city in spring and vegetation deep.” It expresses the contrast between political power and artificial structures being destroyed by war, while natural mountains and rivers remain intact.
This poem was transmitted to Japan during the Heian period and became familiar as Chinese poetry. It is said to have become widely known among educated people, especially with the spread of Chinese learning during the Edo period. In Japan, it was not only accepted as a Chinese classic, but also took root as words that deeply resonated with people who experienced political turmoil during periods like the Warring States era and the end of the Edo period. From the Meiji era onward, it was also taught in school education and has been passed down to the present day as one of the words that serve as spiritual support for the Japanese people.
Interesting Facts
Du Fu’s “Spring View” was actually composed when he was captured during the An Lushan Rebellion and confined in Chang’an. In other words, it was not written by objectively observing the destroyed capital, but was a desperate work written as someone in the midst of those circumstances.
“Spring View” also contains the line “Beacon fires continue for three months, a letter from home is worth ten thousand gold,” expressing how precious letters from family were during the continuing warfare. This shows that behind this proverb lies not only the horror of war, but also deep affection for human bonds and nature.
Usage Examples
- Although the company went bankrupt, Country destroyed and mountains rivers exist – the skills we cultivated and our colleagues remain
- The government changed and policies changed greatly, but as they say Country destroyed and mountains rivers exist, this beautiful scenery of our hometown remains unchanged
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, this proverb has come to be interpreted in a broader sense, transcending its traditional political context. With advancing globalization and digitization, it is increasingly quoted in various “collapse” scenarios such as corporate bankruptcies, structural changes in industries, and even individual career setbacks.
Particularly noteworthy is the new interpretation in the context of environmental issues. In modern times, there is growing recognition that the “mountains and rivers” in “Country destroyed and mountains rivers exist” are not necessarily permanent. Faced with the reality that nature itself is threatened by climate change and environmental destruction, this proverb sometimes takes on an ironic tone. On the other hand, it also functions as an opportunity to reconsider what values should truly be cherished.
Moreover, in the information society, there is a tendency to value intangible assets such as human relationships, knowledge, experience, and culture as “things that remain” instead of physical “mountains and rivers.” Modern interpretations have emerged such as personal networks remaining even when companies change, and cultivated knowledge being applicable even when systems change.
Furthermore, with the spread of SNS and digital archives, the very concept of “things that remain” is also changing. Digital data that escaped physical destruction and records stored in the cloud are seen functioning as modern versions of “mountains and rivers.”
When AI Hears This
Looking at the word “yabureru” (破れる, “is broken/falls”) in “The country falls, yet mountains and rivers remain,” we can see Du Fu’s clever linguistic strategy.
This “yabureru” is used as an intransitive verb. In other words, rather than “someone destroyed the country,” the expression becomes “the country fell.” This is truly calculated word choice.
What if Du Fu had written “the emperor destroyed the country” or “the rebels destroyed the country”? There would be the danger of having his life targeted by either side. In China at that time, political statements could literally be fatal.
However, with the intransitive expression “the country falls,” he could blur where responsibility lies. It gives the impression that “the country broke apart on its own,” like a natural disaster. This way he could maintain political neutrality on the surface.
Yet this very ambiguity becomes a powerful criticism. The passive expression “yabureru” actually highlights the powerlessness of those in authority. It contains the irony that “those who should have protected the country could do nothing, and the country simply collapsed on its own.”
In other words, Du Fu aimed for a double effect by making the subject ambiguous. He secured his personal safety while simultaneously embedding sharp criticism of those in power. Through this linguistic technique, the poem transcended political messaging to become a universal masterpiece. It can be called a masterwork of a poet’s survival strategy that brilliantly balanced safety with artistry.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of having the discernment to identify what is truly important, precisely because we live in an era of rapid change. It reminds us that there are values that will not be lost even when companies change, technology advances, or social systems are reformed.
That might be bonds with people, or it might be the experience and knowledge we’ve cultivated. Or it might be the scenery of our hometown or memories with family. What’s important is not being shaken by visible changes, but always being conscious of what is truly valuable to oneself.
In modern society, there is a tendency to excessively fear failure and setbacks, but this proverb gives us hope that “there are things that remain even when lost.” When facing turning points in life such as job changes, moving, or changes in relationships, we sometimes feel as if we’ve lost everything. However, truly important things tend to remain quite stubbornly.
Rather than fearing change, we should cherish the core parts of ourselves that don’t change even amid change, while adapting to new environments. This ancient proverb quietly speaks to us modern people about hints for such a flexible and positive way of living.
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