How to Read “猫に小判”
Neko ni koban
Meaning of “猫に小判”
“Gold coins to cat” expresses that giving something valuable to someone who cannot understand its value is completely meaningless.
This proverb is used in situations where providing something good or precious becomes wasteful if the recipient cannot understand its value. It is often used in educational contexts, but it also applies to various other situations, such as when giving expensive items to people who don’t understand their worth, or when explaining specialized knowledge to laypeople.
What’s important is that this is not an expression meant to look down on others. It’s natural that a cat cannot understand the value of gold coins, and this is not due to the cat’s lack of ability. Similarly, it’s normal for humans not to understand things outside their area of expertise. This proverb teaches us the importance of adapting to the other person’s position and level of understanding. Even in modern times, it serves as a very practical teaching that shows the importance of communicating in a way that suits the other person, as a fundamental principle of communication.
Origin and Etymology
When we explore the origin of “Gold coins to cat,” we can see the lifestyle of common people during the Edo period. This proverb was born as an expression combining cats, which were familiar animals, with koban, which were the highest denomination currency of that time.
During the Edo period, koban were extremely valuable money for ordinary people. One ryo had enough value to buy one koku of rice (about 150kg). However, no matter how valuable something is, it has no meaning at all to someone who cannot understand it. To a cat, a koban would be nothing more than a shiny piece of metal.
The people of Edo focused on the humor of this contrast. Something that holds the highest value in human society becomes completely worthless in another world. They expressed this relativity of values through the easy-to-understand combination of familiar cats and expensive koban.
While there is a similar expression “pearls before swine,” “Gold coins to cat” became established as an expression more closely connected to Japanese life. Cats had been familiar to Japanese people since the Edo period, and koban were actually circulating currency. It can truly be called a uniquely Japanese proverb based on the common people’s real experiences.
Interesting Facts
Koban might have actually had a cat-repelling effect. Koban from the Edo period had high gold purity and a distinctive metallic smell. Since cats have sensitive sense of smell, they might have disliked this odor. In other words, cats not only couldn’t understand the value of koban, but they might not have wanted to get physically close to them either.
One koban from the Edo period weighed about 18 grams. Since a modern 500-yen coin weighs 7 grams, it would have been quite a heavy toy for a cat. Not understanding its value, and being heavy and smelly too. It would have been natural for cats to think “I don’t want such a thing.”
Usage Examples
- I gave my son expensive wine as a gift, but he wasn’t happy at all – it was truly Gold coins to cat
- Explaining with only technical terms would be Gold coins to cat for new employees, so let’s speak more understandably
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Gold coins to cat” situations have become more complex. This is because the advancement of the information society has led to diversification of values.
For example, for digital native young people, the latest smartphones and games are extremely valuable, but they might be “Gold coins to cat” for elderly people. Conversely, there may be young people who cannot understand the value of traditional crafts or classical literature. In modern times where generational values differ greatly, situations where people become “Gold coins to cat” to each other are increasing.
The same is true in the business world. For executives who cannot understand the value of AI and big data, the latest technology is “Gold coins to cat.” On the other hand, for personnel well-versed in digital technology, the importance of traditional business practices and human relationships might be difficult to understand.
However, the true value of this proverb is demonstrated precisely because of modern times. This is because the importance of understanding the other person’s position and values has become clearer. Social media controversies occur because people post without considering others’ values.
In modern society where diversity is valued, mutual understanding to avoid “Gold coins to cat” situations and communication skills adapted to others are becoming increasingly important.
When AI Hears This
Research shows that modern people receive about 34GB of information daily from their smartphones alone. That’s equivalent to roughly 174 newspapers worth of content flooding our minds each day. In this information deluge, we find ourselves in the same position as the cat with gold coins—unable to recognize true value amid the overwhelming abundance.
What’s particularly fascinating is how we assign value to social media metrics like “likes” and follower counts. We get caught up in the sheer numbers, losing sight of the quality and meaning behind them. Similarly, we fall into consumption patterns where we assume expensive products and luxury brands automatically hold value, without properly assessing whether we actually need them.
Psychology’s “paradox of choice” theory explains that when faced with too many options, people become unable to make sound decisions. Modern society perfectly embodies this phenomenon—surrounded by infinite choices in information and products, we desperately need to develop our “value judgment skills” to discern what truly matters.
The modern version of giving gold coins to a cat might be “giving humans information overload.” The key lies in limiting our information intake and cultivating the ability to identify what genuinely holds value for us. This explains why digital detoxes and information decluttering have gained such attention—they’re essential survival skills for our data-saturated age.
Lessons for Today
What “Gold coins to cat” teaches modern people is the importance of thinking from the other person’s perspective. Something wonderful to you might not be valued by the other person. This is not because the other person is bad, but simply because their values and experiences are different.
What’s important is making the effort to convey value in a form the other person can understand. By explaining without using technical terms in an easy-to-understand way, or by giving examples from fields the other person is interested in, you can avoid “Gold coins to cat” situations.
This proverb also teaches us humility. We should not forget that our own knowledge and experience do not hold absolute value. Sometimes, you yourself may be in the position of the “cat.” In such times, it’s important to maintain a humble attitude of learning.
In human relationships too, by respecting others’ values and acknowledging each other’s differences, richer communication is born. Avoiding “Gold coins to cat” is an expression of consideration for others.
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