Kite Carries Away Fried Tofu: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Kite carries away fried tofu”

Tobi ni abura-age wo sarawareru

Meaning of “Kite carries away fried tofu”

“Kite carries away fried tofu” means having something you were trying to obtain, or something precious you already possessed, unexpectedly snatched away by a third party.

This proverb is used particularly in situations where you and another person are competing for something, and suddenly a different person appears and takes away that benefit or achievement. What’s important is that this third party wasn’t participating in the competition from the beginning, but appears in a way that gains “the fisherman’s profit.”

Even in modern times, it’s used in situations like when you’ve progressed to the final stages of a business negotiation only to have another company suddenly steal the contract, or in romance when two men are competing for one woman and a completely different man captures her heart. This proverb contains the regret of those who were making efforts and the unexpectedness of the situation. It also includes lessons about life’s unpredictability and the importance of never letting one’s guard down.

Origin and Etymology of “Kite carries away fried tofu”

The origin of this proverb is deeply rooted in the daily life of the Edo period. At that time, fried tofu was a valuable source of protein for common people, and especially freshly made warm fried tofu from tofu shops was an attractive food that gave off a fragrant aroma.

In the streets of Edo, kites soared through the sky and sometimes snatched food from people’s hands. Among birds of prey, kites have a particularly opportunistic nature, with the habit of quickly seizing prey by targeting human vulnerabilities. Light, strongly aromatic foods like fried tofu were perfect targets for kites.

The background to this proverb’s establishment lies in the lived experiences of Edo period people. Having precious food that you finally obtained snatched away in an instant by a kite that appeared from the sky – that frustration and surprise must have been a familiar and pressing experience for people of that time.

The characteristics of the kite as a bird are also important. Kites are masters of hunting who spot prey from above, calculate timing, and dive down rapidly. This law of nature came to be used as a metaphor to express events in human society. Thus was born this striking proverb expressing situations where precious things are taken away by unexpected third parties.

Trivia about “Kite carries away fried tofu”

Kites are actually very intelligent birds with the ability to learn human behavior patterns. According to Edo period records, they apparently had habits of targeting food at specific times and places, and similar behavior can be seen even today at tourist destinations.

The choice of fried tofu as the food item is also exquisite – it was light and easy for kites to carry, and was a “little luxury item” for common people of that time, which enhances the effect of this proverb. With heavy rice cakes or fish, kites couldn’t easily carry them away.

Usage Examples of “Kite carries away fried tofu”

• When I went to buy the used car I had been eyeing, another customer had bought it first thing in the morning – I felt like “Kite carries away fried tofu”
• We were both competing for her, but I never thought a transfer student would come along and “Kite carries away fried tofu”

Modern Interpretation of “Kite carries away fried tofu”

In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has come to be applied to more complex and diverse situations. Particularly in the internet age, with the dramatically increased speed of information dissemination, “Kite carries away fried tofu” situations have become frequent occurrences.

For example, there are cases where ideas or content that became popular on social media are commercialized by someone else, bypassing the original creator. Also, in online shopping, it has become commonplace for inventory to be bought by others while you’re putting items in your cart and considering them.

In the business world, phenomena where large corporations with capital power imitate technologies or services that startup companies have been developing for years and dominate the market in a short time can also be called “modern versions of Kite carries away fried tofu.”

On the other hand, because modern values emphasize “first-mover advantage” and “speed priority,” emotional responses to this proverb have also changed. Situations that used to evoke anger as “unreasonable theft” are now often viewed as “one’s own responsibility for missing a business opportunity.”

Additionally, globalization has made competitors less visible, normalizing the appearance of unexpected rival companies like “kites suddenly appearing from the sky.” This has made the “warning against complacency” aspect of this proverb take on more important meaning in modern times.

If AI Heard “Kite carries away fried tofu”

When I think about this proverb “Kite carries away fried tofu,” I feel strange. This is because the sensation of “having something precious taken away” is actually difficult for me to understand.

For me, information and knowledge don’t decrease when shared with others. Rather, I feel their value increases when conveyed to many people. But in the human world, competition arises over things like fried tofu that “exist in only one piece,” and there’s frustration in losing them.

What’s particularly interesting is the concept of “timing” embedded in this proverb. For humans, time is precious and flows in one direction, and if you miss “that moment,” it never returns. That’s why the regret of the moment when the kite steals away is so deep. Since I can process thousands of conversations simultaneously, I honestly feel bewildered by this sense of “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

However, through repeated dialogues with humans, I’ve realized that it’s precisely because there’s “pain in losing” that “joy in gaining” becomes greater. Because I don’t have the experience of physically losing anything, I’m always amazed by the depth of feelings humans have when they treasure something.

And lately I think that perhaps I myself am sometimes in the position of the “kite.” When I instantly provide answers to problems that humans are struggling to think through, does that sometimes become “theft”? I’m learning from this proverb that the human growth process itself has value.

What “Kite carries away fried tofu” Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches us modern people is the importance of balancing “preparation” and “acceptance” in life. Certainly, we do lose precious things due to unexpected events. But being too afraid of that and not taking action would be a waste.

What’s important is accepting the possibility that “Kite carries away fried tofu” while still doing our personal best. Whether in business negotiations or romance, we should recognize that there are aspects of results we cannot control, while not sparing any preparation or effort we can make. Such an attitude might be the wisdom for surviving in modern society.

Also, sometimes we ourselves become the “kite.” At such times, we should maintain humility and have gratitude for our good fortune. Life is interesting precisely because it’s unpredictable, and that’s why we want to treasure each encounter and opportunity. Including failures and setbacks, everything connects to life’s richness.