How to Read “律儀者の子沢山”
Richigimono no kodakusan
Meaning of “律儀者の子沢山”
“Dutiful person’s children many” means that people who are serious, have a strong sense of responsibility, and faithfully keep their promises and obligations tend to be blessed with many children.
This doesn’t simply refer to having a large number of children, but rather expresses a life principle that sincere people value family relationships, have good marital harmony, and take responsibility for child-rearing, which as a result makes them more likely to be blessed with children. Dutiful people tend to never abandon their responsibilities to their families even in difficult situations, and raise their children with deep affection.
This proverb is used when observing serious and sincere people whose homes are bustling with children, or when praising the character of someone with a strong sense of responsibility. It’s also used when conveying the value of living sincerely or the significance of cherishing one’s family. Even today, when expressing the sight of trustworthy people building happy families, the warm meaning of these words is understood.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Dutiful person’s children many” is thought to have emerged from observations of common people’s lives during the Edo period. During this era, it was frequently observed that people who were serious and had a strong sense of responsibility tended to cherish their families and be enthusiastic about child-rearing.
The word “ritsugi” (dutiful) originally came from Buddhist terminology meaning “to observe precepts,” and later came to represent a character that faithfully keeps promises and obligations. In Edo period society, it was widely known that people with such sincere character tended to have good marital relationships and deep affection for their children, resulting in being blessed with many children.
In Japan at that time, children were valued as heirs to the family and as labor force, but they were also beings who required much love and responsibility. People with careless personalities couldn’t endure the difficulties of child-rearing, and their marital relationships tended to become unstable. On the other hand, dutiful people had the strength to continue supporting their families without abandoning their responsibilities even in difficult situations.
From such social observations, it’s believed that this proverb became established to express the phenomenon that “people who are serious and have a strong sense of responsibility tend to be blessed with many children.”
Usage Examples
- Mr. Tanaka is truly a case of “Dutiful person’s children many” – all five of his children have grown up to be admirable
- Looking at that couple reminds me of the saying “Dutiful person’s children many”
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the interpretation of the proverb “Dutiful person’s children many” has changed significantly. With the current declining birthrate, attention has shifted from the number of children to the quality of child-rearing and the depth of family relationships.
In our information society, people who are serious and have a strong sense of responsibility don’t neglect information gathering when it comes to child-rearing and are enthusiastic about creating educational environments. We can see them utilizing SNS and parenting apps to record their children’s growth and cherish time with their families. While they master technology, their fundamental family love remains unchanged.
On the other hand, an increasing number of people feel uncomfortable with the expression “children many” in modern values. This is because realistic challenges are piling up, such as balancing career and child-rearing, economic burden, and rising education costs. However, the essence of this proverb – that “sincere people cherish their families more” – still resonates with many people today.
In modern times, the characteristics of dutiful people are manifested not in the number of children, but in the quality of relationships with each family member and in creating an environment where children can grow up healthily. Parents with a strong sense of responsibility value dialogue with their children even within limited time and don’t neglect preparation for the future.
This proverb continues to convey the universal value of the importance of family love to the modern era, even though its form has changed.
When AI Hears This
In the Edo period, “conscientious people have many children” followed a simple structure: the more responsible a person was, the more economically stable they became, allowing them to support more children. However, in modern times, this relationship has completely reversed.
According to surveys by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, couples with higher incomes and education levels tend to have lower birth rates. This is because responsible modern people feel overwhelmed by pressures like “a minimum of 10 million yen in education costs per child,” “the obligation to send children through university,” and “the responsibility of choosing the right extracurricular activities and cram schools.”
Particularly fascinating is the “perfectionism trap.” In the past, being conscientious meant simply “feeding and raising” children—that was the extent of parental responsibility. But today’s responsible parents face infinitely expanded obligations: “providing the best educational environment,” “maximizing future opportunities,” and “perfect emotional care.”
In fact, surveys by child-rearing support NPOs reveal that highly educated, high-income couples are more likely to think “it’s better not to have children unless we can provide ideal parenting.” In other words, what used to be a “reason to have children” has now become a “reason not to have them.”
This paradox vividly illustrates a structural contradiction in modern society: the wealthier society becomes, the heavier the burden of individual responsibility grows.
Lessons for Today
What “Dutiful person’s children many” teaches modern people is the richness of living sincerely. Your attitude of keeping daily promises and trying to fulfill responsibilities deepens trust relationships with those around you, ultimately enriching your life.
In modern society, efficiency and results tend to be overemphasized, but this proverb teaches us the value of the invisible asset of “good character.” A serious approach to work is always noticed and appreciated by someone, whether at work or at home.
Especially in human relationships, being dutiful can be said to be the best investment. While you may sometimes feel like you’re at a loss temporarily, in the long run, you can live a life loved and supported by many people as someone trustworthy. This gives you a “treasure” of spiritual richness that surpasses the number of children.
Please cherish your sincerity. It will surely attract people who will warmly color your life.
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