How to Read “泣きっ面に蜂”
Nakittsura ni hachi
Meaning of “泣きっ面に蜂”
“Crying face to bee” is a proverb that expresses when additional disasters or misfortunes pile up on top of an already difficult situation or when someone is already sad.
This proverb describes situations where one misfortune alone is already sufficiently painful, but then additional calamities come crashing down. The state of crying indicates that someone is already dealing with some kind of problem or sadness, and the new pain of being stung by a bee emphasizes the accumulation of bad luck.
As for usage scenarios, it’s used to describe situations when friends or family members are struck by a series of troubles. It’s also used when lamenting one’s own circumstances. The reason for using this expression is that rather than simply saying “it’s terrible,” it can more impressively convey the unreasonableness of accumulated misfortunes and situations where one feels as if being bullied by fate itself. Even today, it’s naturally used to express situations where misfortunes pile up, such as falling ill after making a mistake at work, or being dumped by a lover right after failing an exam.
Origin and Etymology
“Crying face to bee” is thought to have originated from the life experiences of common people during the Edo period. This expression literally depicts a situation where a bee stings a crying face, but rather than being based on actual experiences, it was likely a metaphorical phrase created to express how misfortunes accumulate.
For people of the Edo period, bees were familiar yet frightening creatures. At that time, modern medical systems weren’t in place, so being stung by a bee was a serious problem. Being stung in the face would cause severe swelling and intense pain, truly symbolizing a situation of being kicked while down.
The expression “nakittsura” (crying face) is also interesting. Rather than simply saying “crying face,” using “nakittsura” emphasizes a more miserable and pitiful appearance. The inclusion of the “tsu” sound adds a sense of wretchedness to the phonetic feel.
The background to this proverb’s establishment likely lies in the Edo commoners’ culture of “laughing things off.” The wisdom of common people trying to lighten their feelings even a little by expressing truly painful situations through extreme metaphors may be embedded in this saying.
Interesting Facts
The tendency for bees to target human faces, especially skin moistened with tears, actually makes biological sense. Bees have a habit of seeking salt, and they can be attracted to the salt content in tears. In other words, “Crying face to bee” could be seen as expressing a phenomenon that could occur inevitably rather than by chance.
When examining Edo period literature, we find that a similar expression, “yowarime ni tatarime” (misfortune upon weakness), was used around the same time. Both express the accumulation of bad luck, but “Crying face to bee” has a more concrete and visual image, which is probably why it penetrated more deeply among the common people.
Usage Examples
- I caught a cold on my precious day off, and it’s Crying face to bee with rain starting to fall too
- My job hunting isn’t going well, and it’s Crying face to bee with my car breaking down too
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Crying face to bee” situations have become more complex and diverse. With the spread of social media, individual misfortunes can be instantly disseminated, creating the possibility of being stung by a new “bee” called viral backlash. The phenomenon where someone who made a mistake at work complains about it on social media only to receive further criticism is truly a modern version of “Crying face to bee.”
In our information society, one problem tends to trigger other problems in a chain reaction. For example, a smartphone malfunction can simultaneously create multiple difficulties: inability to communicate for work, inability to make payments, getting lost, and so on. Problems that used to be independent have become interconnected through technology.
On the other hand, modern people also have more proactive means to deal with such chains of misfortune. Comprehensive insurance systems, diverse support services, easy access to information – we have incomparably more solutions available than people of the Edo period.
However, interestingly, the increased options can sometimes become a new “bee” in the form of pressure to “make the right decisions.” The psychology of modern people who blame themselves when struck by misfortune, thinking “there must have been a better way to handle this,” may have a complexity different from the unreasonableness expressed by this proverb.
When AI Hears This
The phenomenon of bees approaching people who are crying can actually be explained scientifically. Bees are insects that require salt, and they are strongly attracted to the sodium chloride found in human tears. Honeybees in particular need salt for maintaining their hives and supporting larval development, which is why they actively seek out bodily fluids like sweat and tears.
What’s fascinating is that bees’ olfactory receptors can chemically detect human emotional states. Research has shown that bees respond to cortisol, the stress hormone secreted when we cry, as well as specific pheromones released from tear ducts. This means that people who are sad may literally be emitting “chemical signals that attract bees.”
Even more surprising is the relationship between bee attack behavior and human emotional states. When people feel stressed, their body temperature rises and their breathing becomes shallow. These physiological changes have been found to trigger bees’ alarm instincts. Since bees perceive changes in carbon dioxide levels and rising body temperature as threats, people who are already in difficult situations face an increased risk of being stung—creating a vicious cycle.
This proverb may not simply express a string of bad luck, but rather represent a remarkably scientific insight that keenly observed the interaction between human physiological states and insect behavior.
Lessons for Today
“Crying face to bee” teaches us the reality that there are times in life when unreasonable events pile up, and the human strength to keep walking despite this. This proverb isn’t just words for lamenting misfortune. Rather, it gives us the wisdom to view difficult situations objectively and examine them from a slight distance.
In modern society, it’s commonplace for the next challenge to appear before one problem is solved. Work, relationships, health, and money problems may all come rushing at once. In such times, remembering this proverb allows us to organize the situation by thinking “right now I’m in a Crying face to bee state.”
What’s important is understanding that this situation isn’t permanent. After stinging, a bee doesn’t stay there forever. Pain also subsides with time. Chains of misfortune also inevitably come to an end.
This proverb also teaches us consideration for those around us. The kindness to be mindful not to place additional burdens on someone who is in a difficult situation. And the warmth to support those struck by misfortune. It reminds us anew of the importance of such human-like thoughtfulness.
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