How to Read “九死に一生を得る”
kyuushi ni isshou wo eru
Meaning of “九死に一生を得る”
“Nine deaths in one life to obtain” means to miraculously survive and preserve one’s life from an extremely dangerous situation where death seemed almost certain.
This expression is used to describe serious situations that go beyond simply being “dangerous” – situations where one truly wandered between life and death. Examples would include cases where someone suffered severe injuries in a traffic accident but survived, or was buried alive in a natural disaster but was rescued – situations where medically and objectively speaking, one could say “it’s amazing they survived.”
The reason this phrase is used is to emphasize the severity of the situation and the miraculous nature of survival. It’s chosen to express life experiences that become major turning points, which cannot be fully captured by everyday expressions like “that was close.” Even today, it’s appropriately used in medical settings and disaster reporting to describe situations where someone has overcome a life-threatening crisis.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Nine deaths in one life to obtain” traces back to classical Chinese literature. This expression is said to derive from the phrase “Nine deaths yet still no regret” that appears in the poem “Li Sao” from Qu Yuan’s “Songs of Chu.” Qu Yuan was a poet from the state of Chu during the Warring States period, who faced many difficulties while worrying about his country and pursuing ideals.
The number “nine” has been used in China to represent “extremely many” or “maximum.” Thus “nine deaths” meant “almost certain death” or “a situation with an extremely high possibility of death.” Meanwhile, “one life” represents “a slight possibility of survival.”
This expression was transmitted to Japan through Buddhist scriptures and Chinese classics. Similar expressions began appearing in Japanese literary works from the Heian period onward, and it’s believed to have settled into its current form during the Edo period. In the samurai world especially, this phrase would have been used with real feeling in life-or-death battles and dangerous missions. The tension inherent in the words themselves and the clinging to slight hope resonated in many people’s hearts.
Interesting Facts
The numerical contrast between “nine” and “one” in “Nine deaths in one life to obtain” is thought to be related to ancient Chinese yin-yang philosophy. “Nine” represents the pinnacle of yang numbers, while “one” represents the beginning of all things, and this contrast symbolizes the ultimate opposition between despair and hope.
Interestingly, this expression is sometimes used as medical terminology. In emergency medical settings, it’s sometimes used to refer to situations where a patient’s survival probability is below 10%, literally expressing a situation of “nine deaths in one life to obtain.”
Usage Examples
- In that mountain accident, I experienced nine deaths in one life to obtain, and even now I never forget my reverence for nature.
- When I was told the surgery had only a 5% success rate, I despaired, but having experienced nine deaths in one life to obtain, I can now spend time with my family like this.
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the expression “Nine deaths in one life to obtain” has taken on new meaning alongside advances in medical technology. Many diseases and injuries that would have certainly led to death in the past are now treatable, which could be said to have raised the bar for the “miraculous survival” that this proverb represents.
On the other hand, uniquely modern dangers have also emerged. The scale and complexity of traffic accidents, new infectious diseases, environmental disasters – these represent different forms of “nine deaths” situations from the past. Particularly in our information society, such dramatic survival experiences are instantly shared through social media and mass media, giving them the power to provide courage and hope to many people.
However, there’s also a tendency in modern times to use the expression “nine deaths in one life to obtain” lightly. Despite originally being a weighty phrase describing situations where one literally wandered between life and death, it’s sometimes used for relatively minor dangerous experiences. This can be seen as a phenomenon where the weight of words is diminishing.
Nevertheless, the fundamental life-and-death issues that humans face remain unchanged. If anything, precisely because we live in modern times, the words of those who have truly experienced “nine deaths in one life to obtain” may have even deeper value and persuasive power.
When AI Hears This
The “9 to 1” ratio in “nine deaths, one life” is actually a clever illusion created by the human brain.
Let’s consider real survival probabilities. For example, the survival rate for airplane accidents is about 24%, and the resuscitation rate from cardiac arrest is about 10%. This means actual “life-or-death situations” would mathematically be “7.6 deaths to 2.4 lives” or “9 deaths to 1 life.” But why did the Japanese choose the expression “nine deaths, one life”?
The answer lies in human cognitive bias. Psychology shows that people tend to fall into “decimal thinking” during crisis situations. In other words, when quantifying despair, we unconsciously try to understand it through the easy-to-grasp ratio of “9 out of 10 are bad.”
What’s even more fascinating is that this “9 to 1” ratio has an exquisite psychological balance. “99 deaths to 1 life” would be too hopeless to feel any hope. “8 deaths to 2 lives” would diminish the sense of crisis. “9 deaths to 1 life” is the golden ratio that leaves a faint glimmer of hope within despair.
In other words, “nine deaths, one life” is not a statistical fact, but rather an emotional equation that humans devised to simultaneously express fear and hope. The Japanese used numbers to masterfully verbalize a state of mind.
Lessons for Today
The phrase “Nine deaths in one life to obtain” teaches us the preciousness of life and the importance of never giving up. In modern society, when facing various difficulties, we tend to think “it’s hopeless,” but this proverb shows that we must never abandon hope until the very end.
What’s important is that this phrase represents more than mere luck. To grasp “one life” even in a “nine deaths” situation requires the will to never give up until the end and the courage to bet on the slightest possibility. This spirit can be applied in modern business situations and human relationships as well.
Also, if you actually experience something like “nine deaths in one life to obtain,” it has meaning beyond mere good fortune. That experience can become a light of hope for people facing similar difficulties. Your survival belongs not only to you but has the power to give courage to many people.
Life may have unexpected difficulties waiting for us, but what this proverb teaches us is that no matter how desperate the situation, there is always a ray of light.
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