How to Read “腐っても鯛”
Kusatte mo tai
Meaning of “腐っても鯛”
“Even if rotten, sea bream” means that things that originally possess excellent quality or value do not lose their essential worth or dignity, even when their condition deteriorates or they decline.
This proverb expresses that the fundamental value or quality of people or things is not easily lost due to temporary changes in circumstances. It is used in situations such as when someone who was once excellent is temporarily in poor form, or when high-quality products have become old, to acknowledge their original value and offer encouragement or appreciation.
The reason for using this expression is to convey the importance of not judging based solely on surface conditions, but rather discerning the essential value that a person or thing possesses. Even today, it is used to express feelings of understanding and respect for true value, such as when experienced craftsmen age, or when products from prestigious brands appear outdated.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Even if rotten, sea bream” is deeply connected to the fact that sea bream has been treasured as the most luxurious and auspicious fish in Japan since ancient times.
Sea bream has been treated as the “king of fish” since the Heian period, and its beautiful red and white coloring made it an indispensable fish for celebrations. Particularly during the Edo period, it was positioned as the highest-grade ingredient that was always prepared for celebratory banquets of the shogun’s family and daimyo houses.
The background to the birth of this proverb lies in the absolute trust and respect that people of that time had for sea bream. While fresh sea bream is naturally the finest delicacy, there was an underlying belief that even if time passed and its freshness declined, its dignity and value were incomparable to other fish.
Records from the Edo period state that the value of sea bream was such that “one fish was equivalent to a commoner’s food expenses for one month,” showing what a special existence it was. Additionally, sea bream had the characteristic of having firm flesh that kept well, and actually spoiled more slowly than other fish.
It is believed that this combination of cultural background and practical characteristics led to the establishment of this proverb as a universal teaching expressing that “no matter how bad the condition becomes, originally excellent things are different from others.”
Interesting Facts
Sea bream actually has characteristics that make it more resistant to spoilage than other fish. This is due to the special amino acid composition contained in sea bream flesh and the firmness of the meat, and it has been proven in modern times that the experiential knowledge of ancient people was scientifically correct.
Edo period cookbooks contain descriptions stating that “sea bream after three days is superior to other fish on their first day,” showing that the actual experiences supporting this proverb were widely shared.
Usage Examples
- That manager has been losing recently, but even if rotten, sea bream – he’ll definitely make a comeback
- This long-established restaurant’s taste may not be what it once was, but even if rotten, sea bream – it’s in a different class from other shops
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, we can see interesting changes in the interpretation of “Even if rotten, sea bream.” In our information age, where the value of people and things tends to be measured by more short-term and superficial indicators, the teaching of this proverb to “discern essential value” may actually be increasing in importance.
In modern times where immediately visible results such as SNS “likes,” search rankings, and sales figures are emphasized, it is not uncommon for originally excellent human resources and products to be undervalued due to temporary poor performance or slumps. However, invisible values such as long-cultivated skills, experience, and brand reliability cannot be fully measured by short-term indicators.
On the other hand, in modern times, “Even if rotten, sea bream” is sometimes misused as an excuse for clinging to past glory. While it originally means “essential value does not change,” it is sometimes used in nostalgic contexts meaning “things were better in the old days.”
In modern times when conventional values are often overturned due to rapid technological progress, this proverb makes us reconsider “what is unchanging essential value.” It can also serve as an opportunity to reconsider true expertise, humanity, and creativity – uniquely human values that cannot be replaced by AI.
When AI Hears This
“Even when rotten, it’s still sea bream” is actually the perfect expression of the modern marketing concept known as “brand premium.”
Brand premium refers to the phenomenon where products from famous brands sell for higher prices even when they have the same quality. For example, a T-shirt with identical performance can sell for ten times the price simply by having a famous brand logo on it. This happens because consumers are paying for “value beyond quality.”
Sea bream was exactly like this. During the Edo period, sea bream had established a brand image as the “king of fish.” Fresh sea bream was naturally expensive, but what’s interesting is that even sea bream that had lost its freshness was traded at higher prices than other fish. In other words, the name “sea bream” itself carried added value.
Consider modern luxury car manufacturers. An old Mercedes-Benz, even with frequent breakdowns, sells for more than a domestic car of the same age. This is because some people find value in the prestige and sense of security that the “Mercedes-Benz” brand carries.
The common people of Edo witnessed this phenomenon daily at fish markets—how value could remain in a brand name even when quality deteriorated. More than 200 years before modern marketing theory was born, they intuitively understood the essence of brand value and brilliantly distilled it into this proverb.
Lessons for Today
What “Even if rotten, sea bream” teaches modern people is the importance of cultivating the ability to discern what is truly important. Around us, there are many situations where we are misled by temporary results or superficial glamour and overlook essential value.
When a senior colleague at work who has accumulated years of experience cannot keep up with new technology, don’t we sometimes underestimate that person’s deep insight and humanity? Also, how well do we understand the value of craftsmanship and tradition embedded in long-established products and services that may appear outdated?
This proverb warns against superficial judgment and nurtures a heart that respects true value cultivated over time. This applies not only to how we view others, but also leads to trust in ourselves. Even if there are temporary failures or poor conditions, the experience and effort we have accumulated will never be wasted.
In modern society, the pace of change is fast and immediate results are often demanded, but truly valuable things are nurtured over time. This proverb gently reminds us of this obvious but easily forgotten truth.
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