How to Read “二の舞を演じる”
Ni no mai wo enjiru
Meaning of “二の舞を演じる”
“Perform second dance” means to suffer the same fate as someone else’s failure or misfortune, or to repeat the same kind of failure as a previous example.
This expression is used in situations where someone falls into the same kind of predicament after someone else has already failed or encountered trouble. It’s particularly used when someone ends up following the same path despite knowing about the previous failure.
As for usage scenarios, it can be applied to various fields such as business failures, relationship troubles, investment failures, and more. It’s often used in forms like “perform second dance of that company” or “I want to avoid performing second dance like my senior.”
The reason for using this expression is that rather than simply saying “failed,” it can convey feelings of regret and reflection about “following the same path despite having a precedent.” It’s also used as a warning, like “let’s be careful not to perform second dance.” Even today, it’s treasured as a very precise and easy-to-understand expression when conveying the importance of learning from past examples.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “perform second dance” lies in “bugaku,” a traditional Japanese performing art that has continued since the Heian period. Bugaku is a formal dance performed at the imperial court and temples and shrines, and among these, the “second dance” occupied a special position.
Bugaku programs usually begin with the “first dance,” followed by the “second dance” and “third dance.” This “second dance” was often performed following the movements and composition of the first dance as it continued after the first dance. In other words, because it unfolded in a way that followed the dance performed earlier, it inevitably tended to give the impression of being a rehash.
Moreover, in the world of bugaku, the dancer who performs the first dance is selected from among those with the finest skills and attracts all the audience’s attention. Therefore, no matter how skillfully they danced, those who performed the second dance were likely to give the impression of “doing the same thing after someone else.”
From this characteristic of bugaku, the expression “perform second dance” was born with the meaning of “repeating the same failures or actions as the previous person.” This expression can be found in Edo period literature and is a historical proverb that has been used among Japanese people for a long time.
Interesting Facts
The “second dance” in bugaku actually includes a program called “Okina,” which was an auspicious dance performed during New Year and celebrations. Ironically, it was a dance with celebratory meaning, the complete opposite of the current proverb.
Bugaku is considered one of the world’s oldest stage arts with over 1,300 years of history, and it continues to be preserved today by the Imperial Household Agency’s Music Department. It’s performed publicly at the Imperial Palace every spring and autumn, so you can actually see this traditional performing art.
Usage Examples
- Even though the predecessor had brought the company to the brink with a reckless expansion strategy, the new president also performed second dance in the same way
- I had seen my friend suffer huge losses in a side business, but I almost performed second dance by getting involved in the same investment scheme myself
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the expression “perform second dance” has come to have new meanings, especially in the SNS and internet age. In the modern era where information spreads instantly, failure cases are immediately shared, and more people have opportunities to witness similar failure examples.
In the business world, failure cases of startup companies are reported in real-time, and we can see entrepreneurs who follow taking measures “not to perform second dance of that company” on a daily basis. Also, cases of influencer controversies serve as valuable negative examples for others in the same field.
On the other hand, precisely because we live in an age of information overload, cases of making the same mistakes despite knowing about past failure examples are also increasing. This might be because emotions and desires overcome reason when actually taking action, even though we understand intellectually.
In the investment world, we can see phenomena where modern people who should have learned about the history of bubble collapses repeat the same kind of enthusiasm and failures in cryptocurrency booms and such. These can truly be called modern versions of “perform second dance.”
This proverb can be said to have increased its value even more in the information society. This is because it expresses the importance of learning from past examples in simple and easy-to-understand words.
When AI Hears This
In the world of Noh theater, “ni no mai” (second dance) never meant repeating a failure. Quite the opposite—it was used as a technical term referring to the prestigious “nibanmemono” (second category plays) featuring warrior tales. After the opening waki-noh depicts a divine world, the second play presents the spectacular stories of heroes like Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Taira no Atsumori. Originally, “performing the second dance” was actually a proud act meaning “following a magnificent precedent by delivering your own outstanding performance.”
This reversal of meaning has a fascinating social background. From the Edo period onward, as Noh theater became increasingly distant from common people, the precise meanings of technical terms were gradually lost. The word “second” began circulating on its own and became confused with negative images like “second-rate brewing” or simply “second-class.” In modern times, it has settled into meaning “making the same mistake as someone before you.”
Yet for Noh performers, second category plays remain among the most technically demanding pieces in the repertoire. They require intense battle scenes and complex psychological portrayals, packed with captivating highlights that mesmerize audiences. Scenes of Minamoto no Yoshitsune dancing at Dannoura or Taira no Atsumori lamenting the impermanence of youth are considered the pinnacle of Noh artistry.
Such a complete reversal of meaning is rare, illustrating just how fragile cultural transmission can be.
Lessons for Today
What the proverb “perform second dance” teaches us modern people is the importance of having a humble attitude toward learning. The shortcut to success might actually lie in sincerely accepting others’ failure examples.
In modern society where information overflows, the ability to discern the essence from past examples is required. It’s important not to be misled by superficial differences, but to understand the root causes of “why that failure occurred.”
Also, this proverb serves as a gentle warning to modern people who tend to fall into perfectionism. Rather than becoming unable to act due to excessive fear of failure, it teaches us a positive attitude of “let’s challenge ourselves while being careful not to follow the same path.”
In your daily life, please listen to the wisdom of predecessors while walking your own path. Past failure examples should serve as valuable guideposts to your success. And sometimes, your experience will become a lesson for the next generation.
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