How to Read “鬼の首を取ったよう”
Oni no kubi wo totta you
Meaning of “鬼の首を取ったよう”
“Like taking demon’s head” is a proverb that describes the behavior of someone who proudly and excessively boasts about trivial successes or achievements.
Originally, this expression is used as a sarcastic term for people who become overly proud or boastful compared to their actual accomplishments. By comparing it to the great feat of taking a demon’s head, it highlights the large gap between the person’s proud attitude and their actual achievement. It is used when observing someone who rejoices or acts arrogantly beyond what is necessary for small victories or successes. For example, when someone becomes extremely pleased just for answering a simple quiz correctly, or makes a big fuss as if they had taken a demon’s head after finding a trivial mistake. The reason for using this expression is to point out the absurdity or inappropriateness of such behavior and to suggest the importance of appropriate humility. Even today, it is used for excessive appeals of small achievements on social media or exaggerated boasting about trivial successes in the workplace, and is understood as an expression that teaches us the importance of having a sense of balance.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Like taking demon’s head” is deeply rooted in warrior culture from the Heian to Kamakura periods. During this era, taking enemy heads on the battlefield was considered the most important proof of military achievement. In particular, taking the head of a powerful enemy general was regarded as a great feat that would determine a warrior’s reputation.
What should be noted here is the expression “demon’s head.” Demons have long been feared as terrifying beings that transcend humans. The defeat of Shuten-doji by Minamoto no Raiko’s Four Heavenly Kings, and Watanabe no Tsuna’s defeat of the demon at Rashomon gate – defeating demons was a symbol of heroic acts. In other words, “taking a demon’s head” meant the ultimate military achievement that was nearly impossible in reality.
The background to the birth of this proverb lies in the psychology of warriors who boasted about their war achievements. Even when they had only taken the head of an ordinary enemy soldier, people began to sarcastically describe their exaggerated behavior as if they had defeated a legendary demon as “Like taking demon’s head.” It is believed that during the Edo period, warrior culture spread to commoners and became established as an everyday expression.
Usage Examples
- The manager has a face like taking demon’s head just from finding one typo
- She’s boasting like taking demon’s head even though she only won once in a game
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the expression “Like taking demon’s head” has taken on new meaning as a phenomenon closely related to the desire for recognition in the SNS era. On platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, we can see daily scenes where even trivial everyday events are posted in an exaggerated manner seeking “likes” and “shares.” Posts that present slight cooking successes, small exercise achievements, or minor savings accomplishments as if they were life’s great victories can truly be called modern versions of “Like taking demon’s head” behavior.
Also, with the spread of remote work, there are increasing instances of excessive self-promotion regarding statements in online meetings or proposals of small ideas. In digital spaces, it’s difficult to see others’ reactions, so there’s a psychological tendency to emphasize achievements more than necessary to demonstrate one’s presence.
On the other hand, in our current information-overloaded era, there’s also the reality that even small successes will be buried unless actively promoted. Therefore, balancing the “humility” indicated by this proverb with “self-PR” has become an important challenge for modern people. The sense of balance between appropriate confidence and modesty is what’s required as a communication skill in the digital age.
When AI Hears This
Looking at modern social media pile-ons, I’m struck by the terrifyingly accurate nature of the Japanese expression “acting like you’ve taken the head of a demon.” The moment a celebrity’s minor slip of the tongue or a company’s small mistake comes to light, people pounce on it en masse as if they’d been lying in wait, showering criticism with triumphant attitudes—this is precisely the modern version of people playing the “demon-slaying hero.”
From a psychological perspective, this phenomenon involves the powerful pleasure of “moral superiority.” The satisfaction of feeling morally righteous by pointing out others’ mistakes triggers dopamine release in the brain. Social media mechanisms like “likes” and retweets function as amplification devices for this pleasure.
What’s particularly fascinating is how completely disproportionate the scale of the “mistake” that becomes the target of outrage is to the intensity of the reaction. The way people create massive uproars over trivial errors like typos, as if they’ve exposed some major crime, perfectly mirrors the absurdity of boasting about taking the head of a terrifying monster.
The fact that people in the Edo period had already seen through this essential human psychology and left behind such an apt expression tells us that fundamental human nature remains unchanged across the ages.
Lessons for Today
The proverb “Like taking demon’s head” teaches us modern people an important sense of balance. Rejoicing in success is never a bad thing. Rather, the heart that can honestly rejoice even in small achievements is an important emotion that enriches life.
However, the “degree” when expressing that joy is important. Now that SNS has become widespread, we tend to constantly be conscious of others’ eyes and have strong feelings of wanting to prove our worth. At such times, please remember the lesson this proverb shows.
The key to applying this in modern society is to appropriately balance the magnitude of success with the way we express it. Rejoice proudly in great achievements, and be modestly satisfied with small ones. People who can make this distinction will be trusted by those around them and receive congratulations from more people when they achieve truly great success.
Your daily small successes are certainly helping you grow. While cherishing them, don’t forget humility as you move toward the next step. Such an attitude will nurture true confidence and charm.
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