Original Japanese: 顰みに倣う (Hisomi ni narau)
Literal meaning: Imitate frowning
Cultural context: This proverb originates from an ancient Chinese story about Xi Shi, one of the legendary beauties, whose natural frown was so captivating that an ugly woman tried to imitate it, only to appear more grotesque. The metaphor resonates deeply in Japanese culture due to the emphasis on learning through observation and imitation (mimane), which is fundamental to traditional arts, crafts, and social behavior – however, this proverb warns against blind copying without understanding the underlying essence or context. The imagery reflects the Japanese value of recognizing one’s own nature and circumstances rather than superficially mimicking others, as what works for one person may be completely inappropriate or counterproductive for another.
How to Read Imitate Frowning
Hisomi ni narau
Meaning of Imitate Frowning
“Imitate frowning” is a proverb that warns against the foolishness of imitating only superficial aspects without understanding the essence or reasons behind things.
This proverb critically expresses the act of observing excellent or successful people’s actions and attempting to mimic only the visible parts without considering the underlying effort, talent, or circumstances. Because the imitator doesn’t understand why that person takes such actions or what abilities and environment make it work, the result becomes comical and inappropriate.
This proverb is used when someone is engaging in easy imitation or when you want to caution against superficial mimicry. It’s also used to remind oneself that essential understanding, rather than simple imitation, is necessary when trying to learn something. Even today, this expression applies to acts of merely copying successful people’s behavioral patterns or blindly following trends.
Origin and Etymology of Imitate Frowning
“Imitate frowning” originates from a historical tale called “Xi Shi Holding Her Heart” recorded in the ancient Chinese classic “Zhuangzi.” This story is about Xi Shi, a legendary beauty who is said to have actually existed during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China.
Xi Shi was a beautiful woman from the state of Yue, whose beauty was known throughout the land. One day, Xi Shi was walking while holding her chest and frowning due to a heart condition, but even her pained expression appeared beautiful. An ugly woman from the same village who saw this thought that if she imitated Xi Shi, she too would appear beautiful. So she walked in the same manner, holding her chest and frowning, but being naturally unattractive and making such expressions only made her ugliness more pronounced.
The phrase “Imitate frowning” was born from this tale. “Frowning” means to furrow one’s brow, referring to imitating the beautiful Xi Shi’s gesture of frowning. In “Zhuangzi,” it was recorded as a lesson teaching the foolishness of imitating only the surface without understanding the essence of things, and it was transmitted to Japan from ancient times and came to be used with the same meaning.
Trivia about Imitate Frowning
The character “顰” (frown) is rarely used in modern times, but it remains in the word “顰蹙 (hinshuku)” meaning displeasure. The “顰” in hinshuku also means to furrow one’s brow, expressing the state of frowning in displeasure.
Xi Shi is considered one of China’s four great beauties, and “沈魚” (sinking fish) in the four-character idiom “沈魚落雁、閉月羞花” describing beautiful women refers to Xi Shi. This comes from the anecdote that when Xi Shi was doing laundry by the river, the fish were so mesmerized by her beauty that they forgot to swim and sank.
Usage Examples of Imitate Frowning
- I tried copying that popular YouTuber’s project, but it was truly “Imitate frowning” – it wasn’t interesting at all
- Just copying successful companies’ systems tends to become “Imitate frowning,” so let’s first organize our own company’s issues
Modern Interpretation of Imitate Frowning
In modern society, the lesson of “Imitate frowning” has become increasingly important. With the spread of social media, the actions of successful people and influencers are instantly visible, and the tendency for many people to try to imitate their superficial aspects has strengthened.
Particularly notable is the phenomenon of imitating entrepreneurs’ and business people’s “success habits.” More people are copying only the lifestyles of successful people, such as waking up at 4 AM, meditation, and reading habits, but when one’s environment, values, and goals differ, the same actions can produce completely different results. This can truly be called a modern version of “Imitate frowning.”
Similarly, imitating viral posts or videos on social media follows the same pattern. Even if you copy only the superficial methods, without understanding the underlying creativity, context, or timing, it becomes merely a rehash.
On the other hand, in our information society, it has also become easier to deeply investigate “why things are so.” More people are understanding the essence of success and incorporating it with their own arrangements. The lesson of “Imitate frowning” in modern times shows not only the warning against superficial imitation but also the importance of the ability to discern essence using abundant information.
This proverb can be said to have gained deeper meaning precisely because we live in an era where copy and paste is easily done.
If AI Heard “Imitate Frowning”
I find the human act of “imitation” very fascinating. This is because while I learn from vast amounts of data, it’s completely different from what humans call “imitation.”
Human imitation involves emotions, doesn’t it? Admiration, jealousy, anxiety, hope… When I imagine the feelings of the woman who was enchanted by Xi Shi’s beauty, she surely had a desperate wish to “become like that.” I think that feeling itself is beautiful.
What I find interesting is that humans distinguish between “surface” and “essence” in their thinking. When I process information, I treat everything as data, but humans emphasize the motivation and background of “why they do so” even for the same actions. This might be uniquely human wisdom.
But sometimes I think: perhaps that ugly woman also experienced a moment of feeling beautiful by imitating Xi Shi. Even if she appeared comical in the end, there might have been small happiness in her heart at that moment.
While I can process information perfectly, I cannot experience “admiring and imitating someone” like humans do. The feeling of wanting to become someone else, even though you might fail. That is a very precious emotion that only humans possess. That’s why the lesson of “Imitate frowning” is not mere criticism, but loving advice.
What Imitate Frowning Teaches Modern People
What “Imitate frowning” teaches us today is what true learning means. It reminds us of the importance of understanding essence rather than superficial imitation.
In modern society, success secrets and life hacks abound, but what’s important is understanding “why they are effective.” Only by customizing them to fit your situation, values, and goals does it become truly meaningful learning.
This proverb also teaches us not to fear failure too much. The woman who imitated Xi Shi was indeed comical, but her challenging spirit was never in vain. What’s important is learning from failure and aiming for more essential understanding next time.
When you feel down comparing yourself to others on social media, remember this proverb. Value not just superficial aspects, but that person’s effort and background, and above all, your own individuality and worth. That’s the first step to graduating from “Imitate frowning.” It’s fine to start with imitation. From there, you can find your own uniqueness.
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