How to Read “嚢中の錐”
Nouchuu no kiri
Meaning of “嚢中の錐”
“The awl in bag” means that people with outstanding talent or ability will inevitably have their capabilities surface and distinguish themselves, regardless of their environment.
Just as when you put an awl in a bag, its sharp tip will pierce through the bag and emerge outside, truly excellent individuals will not remain buried among their peers, but will naturally have their talents recognized. This expression is particularly used in situations where someone who was initially inconspicuous gradually demonstrates their abilities and gains attention within an organization or group. It can also be used from the perspective of those who discover talent, expressing the expectation that “that person’s abilities will surely surface eventually.” In modern times, this proverb is frequently used in schools and workplaces where meritocracy is emphasized, expressing the belief that those with true ability will inevitably be recognized.
Origin and Etymology
“The awl in bag” is a proverb that originates from a historical account recorded in the “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji) from China’s Warring States period. Around the 3rd century BCE, Lord Pingyuan of the state of Zhao needed to select 20 retainers to accompany him for diplomatic negotiations with the state of Qin. However, he could only find 19 suitable candidates, when a man named Mao Sui volunteered himself.
Since Lord Pingyuan didn’t know Mao Sui, he hesitated, but Mao Sui persuaded him by saying, “If you put a wise person in a bag, like the tip of an awl, they will surely pierce through the bag and emerge. The reason I haven’t stood out until now is because I haven’t been given the chance to be put in the bag.” Indeed, Mao Sui played a crucial role in the negotiations and successfully accomplished the diplomatic mission.
From this historical account came the Chinese idiom “囊中之錐” (nang zhong zhi zhui), which was transmitted to Japan and became established as “The awl in bag.” “Nō” means bag, and “sui” refers to a sharp-pointed tool. Just as an awl placed in a bag would break through the bag with its sharp tip and emerge outside, this came to be used to mean that people with outstanding talent will inevitably distinguish themselves.
Interesting Facts
The “awl” that appears in this proverb is a tool similar to what we call a drill today, but in ancient China, it was also an important tool for writing. It was used to carve characters into bamboo and wooden tablets, and it’s thought that it also carried the symbolic meaning of being “a tool for expressing knowledge and talent.”
From Mao Sui’s story, another idiom “Mao Sui zi jian” (毛遂自薦) was born, meaning “to recommend oneself,” which is still frequently used in modern Chinese.
Usage Examples
- New employee Tanaka-kun wasn’t conspicuous at first, but he was truly like The awl in bag, and now he’s become the ace of the department
- Her passion and talent for research are like The awl in bag, and will surely be recognized in the academic world eventually
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of “The awl in bag” has become more complex. This is because in the information age, the opportunities and methods for demonstrating talent have diversified. Through social media and the internet, it has become possible to showcase talent beyond the traditional frameworks of organizations and regions, and the very concept of the “bag” has changed.
On the other hand, in today’s competitive society, an increasing number of people question the optimistic interpretation that “talent will surely be recognized if you have it.” In reality, it has come to be recognized that not only talent, but also the ability to properly promote oneself, timing, and luck are important factors. Particularly in job hunting and the job market, there is the reality that excellent human resources are not necessarily properly evaluated.
However, this proverb still holds value in modern times from the perspective of long-term human resource evaluation. It gives hope that people who continue to make consistent efforts will ultimately be recognized, even if they remain buried in the short term. Moreover, in the AI era where human-specific creativity and judgment are increasingly valued, it could be said that the value of truly talented individuals is higher than ever before. In modern times, it’s required to understand “The awl in bag” not just as waiting for the natural emergence of talent, but combined with the importance of actively creating opportunities.
When AI Hears This
SNS algorithms actually operate as a mechanism that reverses the principle of “a sharp awl in a bag.”
Modern information dissemination is determined by “engagement rates.” In other words, posts with more likes and comments get displayed to more people. However, truly valuable content tends to be less likely to generate immediate reactions.
For example, consider a long post containing deep insights versus a cute cat video. Which would gather more “likes”? The answer is obvious. The algorithm prioritizes spreading the latter.
Among researchers, attention is focused on a phenomenon called the “virality paradox.” High-quality content is less likely to spread, while stimulating but shallow content spreads more easily.
Even more interesting is the “filter bubble effect.” Algorithms connect people with similar interests. As a result, talented individuals from different fields become invisible to each other. The awls that would have naturally stood out in the past now get buried after being separated into different bags.
In other words, in modern times, being excellent and being discovered have become completely separate skills. We now live in an era where finding true talent requires consciously looking beyond the algorithm.
Lessons for Today
“The awl in bag” teaches modern people the importance of believing in their own growth without rushing. Precisely because we live in an era where others’ successes are easily visible on social media, it reminds us of the value of nurturing talent at our own pace.
This proverb is both encouragement for talented people and a lesson for those around them. Even in seemingly inconspicuous people, wonderful possibilities might be sleeping. It’s important to have an attitude of trying to find the good in others without preconceptions.
Also, regarding ourselves, it gives us hope that even if we haven’t seen results yet, continuous effort will surely bear fruit. What’s important is to continue believing in the “something” within yourself, like an awl breaking through a bag. It might be a skill, or it might be kindness toward people. Whatever form it takes, the awl within you will surely emerge into the outside world someday.
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