How to Read “枕を高くして寝る”
makura wo takaku shite neru
Meaning of “枕を高くして寝る”
“Pillow high making sleep” means a state where worries disappear and one can sleep peacefully, in other words, being freed from anxiety and worry and feeling secure.
This proverb is used to express the sense of relief when someone who has been carrying problems or worries finds that these issues are resolved or dangers have passed. Since sleeping is the most vulnerable state for humans, one cannot sleep soundly unless truly at peace. From this, the expression “Pillow high making sleep” came to represent deep peace of mind.
It is used in situations such as when long-standing problems are resolved, when debts are fully paid off, when illness is cured, or when important events like exams or interviews have ended safely. Even in modern times, this state of “being able to sleep peacefully” is understood as something extremely valuable for people dealing with stress and anxiety.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Pillow high making sleep” lies in a historical tale recorded in the ancient Chinese classic “Strategies of the Warring States.” It originates from a story about how Mengchang Jun, a figure from the state of Qi during China’s Warring States period, was able to sleep peacefully thanks to the efforts of a man named Feng Huan, whom he had taken in as a retainer.
Feng Huan was tasked by Mengchang Jun with collecting debts and went to the land of Xue, but there he executed a strategy of canceling the debts to gain the support of the people. This action secured Mengchang Jun’s position, allowing him to “sleep with a high pillow,” as recorded in the phrase “高枕而臥” (sleep lying with a high pillow).
This historical tale was transmitted to Japan and is believed to have become established as the proverb “Pillow high making sleep.” In ancient China, the height of one’s pillow also represented status and position, and sleeping with a high pillow was a symbol of security and stability. There was also a custom of using low pillows for light sleep when being vigilant, and high pillows for deep sleep when feeling secure.
In this way, the physical height of the pillow became connected with psychological peace of mind, and continues to be used to this day.
Usage Examples
- I was finally able to pay off my long-standing debt, so tonight I can do Pillow high making sleep
- Now that my son’s university entrance exams are over, as a parent I can finally do Pillow high making sleep
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the expression “Pillow high making sleep” may have taken on an even more urgent meaning than before. With the advancement of the information society, we are continuously exposed to various information and worries 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Through smartphones and the internet, news and problems from around the world reach us instantly, making it normal to constantly carry some form of anxiety.
The worries that modern people face have become particularly diverse. Economic anxiety, health concerns, relationship stress, career troubles, and even global environmental issues – various problems from the personal level to the global scale weigh heavy on our hearts. With the spread of social media, anxiety from comparing ourselves to others has also increased, making it arguably more difficult to truly “do Pillow high making sleep” in our era.
However, this is precisely why the value of this proverb has increased. The term “digital detox” has emerged, and there are movements to consciously shut out information and create time for peace of mind. The attention given to practices like mindfulness and meditation that seek mental tranquility may also be evidence that modern people desperately seek the state of “Pillow high making sleep.”
Even in our technologically advanced modern age, the basic human desire to “sleep peacefully” remains unchanged, and its importance is being recognized anew.
When AI Hears This
When we examine the proverb “sleeping with a high pillow” from the perspective of sleep science, a truly ironic reality emerges. There’s a surprisingly large contradiction between the psychological state of “sleeping peacefully” that this proverb expresses and the actual pillow height recommended by modern sleep medicine.
Contemporary sleep medicine suggests that the ideal pillow height should maintain the neck’s natural curve, and research has revealed that pillows that are too high compress the airway, causing snoring and sleep apnea syndrome. According to studies by the Japanese Society of Sleep Research, when a pillow is raised by just 3 centimeters, the cross-sectional area of the airway narrows by approximately 30%, significantly reducing sleep quality. This means that people who literally “sleep with a high pillow” are actually moving furthest away from quality sleep.
This paradox demonstrates a fascinating phenomenon in linguistic evolution. This expression, which originated in the Edo period, symbolized a “luxurious and secure state” within the cultural context of wooden box pillows used at that time. However, in the modern era, the metaphorical meaning of “peace of mind” has become completely separated from scientifically-based “good sleep.”
Language is like a living entity that reflects the knowledge and values of its time. The expression “sleeping with a high pillow” conveys our ancestors’ longing for security to the present day, while simultaneously telling the story of change itself through the gap between contemporary scientific knowledge and traditional understanding.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is that true peace comes not only from external conditions, but from inner tranquility. It shows the importance of not just waiting for problems to be completely resolved, but cherishing the small moments of peace we can feel right now.
In modern society, we tend to seek perfect solutions, but sometimes we need the courage to acknowledge “this is enough for today,” to appreciate ourselves, and to let go of our worries, even temporarily. Before sleeping each night, try being grateful that you made it through the day safely, and focus on tonight’s peace rather than tomorrow’s anxieties.
This proverb also teaches the importance of creating an environment where we can feel secure. Not just the physical environment, but having trustworthy relationships and our own methods of stress relief allows us to “raise our pillow” in our hearts.
Why don’t you try tonight to let go of even one worry, no matter how small, and sleep with your pillow raised just a little higher? Even if it’s not perfect, acknowledge yourself for getting through today, and give yourself the gift of peaceful sleep.
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