How to Read “Even the thunder god fears Kuwabara”
Naru kami mo kuwabara ni osoru
Meaning of “Even the thunder god fears Kuwabara”
“Even the thunder god fears Kuwabara” means that no matter how frightening something is, it has weaknesses or things it cannot handle.
The thunder god represents lightning, which was one of the most feared natural phenomena in ancient times.
According to legend, even this thunder god could not approach a place called “Kuwabara.” This shows the truth that even seemingly absolute powers have weaknesses.
This proverb is used when facing an opponent with overwhelming power or a difficult situation.
It suggests that even seemingly invincible opponents have weak points that can be exploited. The saying encourages people not to lose hope.
It also serves as a realistic observation about human nature. Even powerful people and authorities are not perfect and have vulnerabilities.
Today, this perspective is useful in business competitive analysis and when thinking about how to tackle difficult challenges.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb comes from a fascinating legend about the thunder god and a place name called “Kuwabara.”
In Japan, people have long had the custom of chanting “kuwabara, kuwabara” when thunder rumbles. This is widely known as a charm to ward off lightning.
Several theories explain the origin of this place name “Kuwabara.”
The most famous theory relates to Sugawara no Michizane, a scholar from the Heian period.
According to legend, Michizane cherished mulberry trees during his life, or had connections to a place called Kuwabara. After becoming a thunder god, he would not strike Kuwabara with lightning.
Michizane is worshipped as a god of learning, but was also feared as a vengeful spirit and associated with the thunder god.
Another theory suggests that lightning rarely strikes mulberry trees, according to folk belief.
Places with mulberry fields were called “Kuwabara” and considered safe locations.
The folk belief that even the fearsome thunder god avoided certain places evolved into a proverb teaching that even the most powerful and frightening things have weaknesses.
People’s keen observations while facing the natural threat of lightning likely gave birth to this saying.
Interesting Facts
The lightning-warding charm “kuwabara, kuwabara” is still used today, especially by older people.
The habit of reflexively chanting these words when thunder rumbles represents cultural memory passed down for hundreds of years.
Sugawara no Michizane’s association with the thunder god has a historical basis.
After his death, lightning strikes and disasters occurred repeatedly in the capital. People at the time believed that Michizane’s resentment appeared as thunder.
He had been exiled on false charges. This belief led to the idea that even the thunder god had weaknesses.
Usage Examples
- That strict boss is apparently afraid of dogs. Truly, even the thunder god fears Kuwabara.
- Even the industry’s top company has weaknesses. Even the thunder god fears Kuwabara—their slow response to new technology gives us an opportunity to win.
Universal Wisdom
“Even the thunder god fears Kuwabara” teaches us a fundamental truth about human society: nothing perfect exists in this world.
We sometimes fear those in power, successful people, or overwhelming difficulties as if they were absolute.
However, our ancestors noticed that even lightning, the most frightening natural phenomenon, had places it could not approach. They preserved this wisdom as a proverb.
This insight has become a source of human hope and courage.
No matter how powerful an opponent appears, they have weaknesses. No matter how difficult a situation seems, there is always a breakthrough.
This recognition enables people to keep fighting without giving up.
At the same time, this proverb teaches the importance of humility.
Those currently in strong positions should recognize their own weaknesses. It serves as a warning.
The moment someone becomes arrogant, their weakness can become fatal.
As human society has grown more complex and various power relationships have emerged, this proverb has guided people from both sides.
It offers hope to those in weak positions and caution to those in strong ones.
This universal sense of balance is why this proverb has been passed down through the ages.
When AI Hears This
The human brain is structured in a way that cannot tolerate completely random events.
Cognitive science research shows that people experience strong stress when facing unpredictable events. They can fall into learned helplessness from feelings of powerlessness.
What’s interesting about this proverb is how people reframe the world as “a system with rules.”
They do this by setting an exception rule that lightning, a completely random natural phenomenon, “avoids only Kuwabara.”
Modern computers also have a mechanism called exception handling for when errors occur.
Even when a program encounters an unexpected situation, the entire system doesn’t stop if exception handling is prepared in advance.
Human society works the same way. By giving the thunder god an exception rule of “a place to avoid,” people can perceive the world as “manageable.”
This works even if they cannot completely prevent disasters.
What’s fascinating is that when this immunity system is shared socially, it reduces anxiety for the entire group.
Lightning actually does strike Kuwabara, but even if it does, people can process it as “an exception to the exception.”
In other words, this proverb doesn’t prevent disasters themselves. Instead, it rewrites people’s cognitive framework from “chaotic fear” to “rule-based security.”
It was an extremely practical psychological defense mechanism.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches you today is that there’s no need to despair.
Even if you have a rival with overwhelming ability at work, or an academically excellent classmate at school, they definitely have things they’re not good at or weak areas.
It’s a waste to give up on your own potential just because you’re overwhelmed by their surface-level strength.
By observing your opponent carefully and finding places where you can use your strengths, paths will open up.
At the same time, if you’re currently successful at something or in an advantageous position, don’t forget humility.
Recognize that you definitely have weaknesses too. Keep making efforts to compensate for them. Complacency becomes your greatest enemy.
This perspective is also useful when facing difficult challenges.
Even problems that seem impossible to solve always have a breakthrough. The persistence to observe from different angles and find small openings will help you grow.
The fact that nothing perfect exists is the greatest hope for those who challenge themselves.
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