How to Read “二階から目薬”
Nikai kara megusuri
Meaning of “二階から目薬”
“From second floor eye drops” is a proverb that describes situations that seem within reach but aren’t quite, or half-hearted states where it’s unclear whether there will be any effect.
This proverb refers to situations that aren’t physically impossible, but when actually attempted, prove extremely difficult and ultimately fail to produce the desired results. Eye drops are only effective when applied directly to the eyes, but trying to apply them from the second floor creates too much distance for accurate targeting, and even if they luckily reach the eyes, sufficient effectiveness cannot be expected.
In modern times, it’s used for situations where despite making efforts, they’re misdirected or the approach is wrong, making it difficult to achieve desired results. It’s also used in interpersonal situations where you’re trying to communicate something to someone, but there’s a sense of distance that prevents your feelings from getting through. The reason for using this proverb is not simply to dismiss something as “useless,” but to express emotions like frustration and exasperation.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “From second floor eye drops” is thought to have emerged from actual difficulties in daily life during the Edo period. Japanese houses of that time were typically wooden two-story structures, and the physical difficulty of performing the delicate task of applying eye drops from the second floor became the foundation of this proverb.
Eye drops in the Edo period weren’t in modern dropper bottles, but were contained in small bamboo tubes or ceramic containers, requiring careful application one drop at a time to the eyes. Trying to apply eye drops from the second floor would make it impossible to aim properly due to the distance, and would be easily affected by wind, making it a perfect example of a “frustrating” situation.
This proverb is said to have appeared in literature during the late Edo period, becoming widely used as an expression born from the lived experiences of common people. For people of that time, the act of applying eye drops from the second floor was a symbol of situations that “seem within reach but aren’t” or are “close yet far” that everyone could imagine. It can be said to be a richly sensitive expression characteristic of Japanese people, skillfully overlaying physical distance with psychological frustration.
Interesting Facts
Eye drops in the Edo period were called “sengan-sui” (eye wash water) and were mainly liquids made by boiling medicinal herbs. Unlike modern eye drops that are applied one drop at a time, they were poured directly into the eyes from small containers, so they really would have been useless from the second floor.
Similar expressions like “eye drops from the roof” apparently existed in some regions, but “from the second floor” became more commonly established. This is thought to be because two-story houses were familiar even to common people.
Usage Examples
- I gave advice, but just through email it’s like From second floor eye drops and doesn’t get through
- Guiding subordinates in remote meetings has the frustration of From second floor eye drops
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “From second floor eye drops” has come to be frequently used when expressing communication challenges in our increasingly digital world. While communication through SNS, email, and chat tools is convenient, subtle nuances are harder to convey compared to face-to-face conversation, creating situations that are exactly like “From second floor eye drops.”
Particularly with the spread of remote work, physical distance increasingly becomes a barrier to communication when supervisors guide subordinates or team members collaborate. In meetings through screens, it’s difficult to completely read the other person’s expressions and atmosphere, and many people feel the frustration of their thoughts not being fully conveyed.
Also, in our information-overloaded era, situations where massive amounts of information are sent one-way but don’t properly reach recipients can also be described as “From second floor eye drops.” Whether content published on blogs or SNS actually reaches the right people at the right time is unknown, and this is sometimes used as a word to express the frustration of content creators.
On the other hand, this proverb still teaches us about “the importance of proper distance” in modern times. Effective communication requires appropriate distance and methods, suggesting the importance of choosing approaches that match the other person.
When AI Hears This
The second floors of Edo period townhouses had a completely different structure from modern buildings. The ceiling height was only about 2.1 meters, so low that adults could easily touch the ceiling by reaching up. When we examine “eye drops from the second floor” in this environment, surprising facts emerge.
Eye drop treatments of that era didn’t use the precise containers we have today. Instead, the main method involved dripping medicine drop by drop from bamboo tubes or small sake bottles. The technique of making a small hole in the second-floor floorboards and dripping medicinal liquid into the eyes of a patient lying face-up below was actually physically feasible.
What’s even more fascinating is that this method wasn’t just a bizarre trick—it had practical advantages. Using gravity allowed for precise control of the liquid amount, and even if the patient moved, the practitioner could maintain a stable position. The Edo period medical text “Wazai Kyokuho” states that “precision in dropping” during eye treatments affected therapeutic outcomes, suggesting that administering eye drops from the second floor may have been a sensible technique.
In other words, “eye drops from the second floor” might not have been the “reckless and meaningless act” that modern people imagine, but rather a “labor-intensive yet reliable treatment method” born from the constraints of Edo period architecture and medical technology. Understanding the historical context reveals the original meaning behind this proverb.
Lessons for Today
What “From second floor eye drops” teaches modern people is that effective communication requires “appropriate distance and methods.” No matter how good the content, if the delivery method or sense of distance is wrong, it won’t reach the other person’s heart.
In modern society, we tend to prioritize efficiency and settle for emails or SNS, but let’s have the courage to meet in person to convey truly important things. By talking while seeing the other person’s expressions and feeling their tone of voice, we can close the emotional distance, like going down from the second floor to the first floor.
This proverb also teaches us the importance of “putting yourself in the other person’s shoes.” If you’re on the second floor, go down to where the other person is. If the other person is on the second floor, go up to them. Such a caring heart creates true communication.
It doesn’t have to be perfect. When you feel the frustration of From second floor eye drops, that’s exactly the chance to look for better methods. Your sincere feelings will surely reach the other person.
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