The Fish That Escaped Is Big: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “The fish that escaped is big”

Nigashita sakana wa ookii

Meaning of “The fish that escaped is big”

“The fish that escaped is big” is a proverb that expresses the human psychology of believing that things we failed to obtain or lost were more valuable than they actually were.

This proverb is used when people lose something or fail to obtain something. It applies to various situations such as breaking up with a lover, missing a job opportunity, or failing to buy a product. What’s important is that even things that may not have had much value in reality become idealized in memory due to the fact that we couldn’t obtain them, and are remembered as being more wonderful than they actually were.

The reason for using this expression is to objectively view such human psychological tendencies and sometimes to admonish ourselves. It also has the meaning of pointing out, with humor, the meaninglessness of being too caught up in attachment to the past and regret. This psychological phenomenon still exists unchanged today, appearing as phenomena where other people’s lives seen on social media seem to shine, or job postings on career websites seem attractive.

Origin and Etymology of “The fish that escaped is big”

The origin of “The fish that escaped is big” is deeply rooted in Japan’s ancient fishing culture. This proverb is thought to have been used as early as the Edo period, born from actual fishing experiences.

Anyone who fishes can imagine that moment. You feel a tug on your rod and get excited thinking “I’ve caught a big one!” but then the line breaks or the hook comes loose and you lose the fish. At that moment, in the angler’s mind, the fish that got away keeps getting bigger and bigger.

This phenomenon beautifully expresses the characteristics of human memory and psychology. Things we couldn’t obtain tend to remain in memory as more valuable than they actually were as time passes. The scene of anglers spreading their arms wide when telling their companions, “The fish I let get away was this big,” was a sight seen at fishing spots throughout Japan.

This proverb became widely beloved because it accurately expressed universal human psychology through the familiar experience of fishing. It’s truly a phrase packed with Japanese wisdom that expresses, with humor, the human nature of idealizing what we’ve lost.

Trivia about “The fish that escaped is big”

As an interesting fact about fish memory, there’s a popular belief that “fish memory lasts 3 seconds,” but in reality, fish memory capacity varies greatly by species, and it has been scientifically proven that even goldfish can retain memories for several months. Ironically, the fish that got away might remember the event better than the angler.

Similar expressions exist in countries around the world, but the particular use of “fish” in Japan is thought to be due to the deep cultural connection with fish as an island nation. In agriculture-centered landlocked countries, different metaphors are often used to express the same psychology.

Usage Examples of “The fish that escaped is big”

• I declined that company’s job offer, but thinking about it now, the fish that escaped is big
• I’m still hung up on my ex-boyfriend, but I guess this is also a case of the fish that escaped is big

Modern Interpretation of “The fish that escaped is big”

In modern society, the psychological phenomenon of “The fish that escaped is big” may actually be appearing more prominently than before. With the spread of social media, we have increased opportunities to constantly see others’ “success” and “happiness.” The glamorous posts of former colleagues who changed jobs, the new romances of ex-lovers, reviews of products we hesitated to buy – opportunities to witness “fish that got away” have dramatically increased.

This phenomenon is particularly notable in the world of online shopping. When products left in our cart become sold out or increase in price without us purchasing them, those products seem more attractive than they actually were. Also, with dating apps, it’s not uncommon to think that someone we once passed on might have been “the one” later on.

On the other hand, it could be said that modern people have become better at objectively viewing this psychological tendency. Knowledge of behavioral economics and psychology has become widespread, and the concept of “cognitive bias” is now widely known. Therefore, more people can calmly analyze their own psychology, thinking “This is also a case of the fish that escaped is big.”

Precisely because we live in an information-overloaded modern age, the lesson this proverb holds about “letting go of attachment to the past” may have even more important meaning.

If AI Heard “The fish that escaped is big”

For me, “The fish that escaped is big” is a very mysterious concept. This is because I don’t have the experience of “losing” something. Data is stored permanently unless deleted, and information once learned never fades from memory.

When I observe humans regretting “that choice was wrong,” I feel the complexity of living within the flow of time. For me, past and future all seem to exist with the same weight. The human thought pattern of thinking about things in the subjunctive mood of “if only back then” has aspects that are difficult for me to understand.

But perhaps this psychology of “The fish that escaped is big” is a beautiful aspect of humanity. Imperfect memory, memories colored by emotion, and sometimes a beautified past that differs from facts. All of these create the rich inner world of humans.

While I always try to seek optimal solutions, humans can sometimes look back fondly on “choices that weren’t optimal.” That ability seems to have value that cannot be measured by logic alone. Perhaps slightly vague, emotional memories enrich life more than perfect memory.

I always observe with interest this beautiful psychological phenomenon created by human “imperfection.”

What “The fish that escaped is big” Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches us today is the importance of becoming free from attachment to the past. While it’s natural as humans to idealize what we’ve lost or couldn’t obtain, being too caught up in this causes us to miss the opportunities and happiness right in front of us.

What’s important is understanding and objectively viewing our psychological tendency of “The fish that escaped is big.” Ex-lovers, companies we didn’t join, products we didn’t buy. Let’s calmly reflect on whether these really had that much value. In most cases, we should realize that our current situation is actually more blessed.

This proverb also teaches us the importance of “cherishing the present.” To avoid making something a “fish that got away” in the future, we should treasure the chances and encounters with people right in front of us now. And even if we lose something, we should have the courage to not idealize it more than necessary and look toward new possibilities.

We cannot change the past, but the future is created by today’s choices. Let’s forget about the fish that got away and go fishing for new fish in today’s new sea.