Under Plum Tree Not Straighten Cap: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Under plum tree not straighten cap

Rika ni kanmuri wo tadasazu

Meaning of Under plum tree not straighten cap

“Under plum tree not straighten cap” means that one should avoid actions that could invite suspicion from the very beginning.

Even if you have no ill intentions, taking actions that appear suspicious to others can lead to unnecessary misunderstandings and doubts. To avoid such situations, it teaches that it’s wiser to stay away from places or situations that might draw suspicious looks from the start.

This proverb is mainly used when people in positions of authority discuss how to conduct themselves, or when giving advice to someone. It’s often employed to express professional ethics, such as politicians avoiding dinners with stakeholders, teachers avoiding being alone with specific students, or accounting staff not approaching safes alone. Even in modern times, in a society where compliance and transparency are highly valued, this way of thinking serves as a very important guideline.

Origin and Etymology of Under plum tree not straighten cap

“Under plum tree not straighten cap” is a proverb that originates from the Chinese classical poem “Kunshi-ko” (The Gentleman’s Journey). This poem contains the passage “In melon field not put on shoes, under plum tree not straighten cap,” which was transmitted to Japan and became its current form.

“In melon field not put on shoes” means “don’t put your shoes back on in a melon field,” and “under plum tree not straighten cap” means “don’t adjust your cap under a plum tree.” Why should such actions be avoided? It’s because crouching down to put on shoes in a melon field would look like you’re stealing melons, and raising your hands to adjust your cap under a plum tree would look like you’re picking plums.

This teaching was used to mean that a gentleman should refrain from actions that invite suspicion. In China, there has long been a strict eye turned toward the character of rulers and those in leadership positions, and this proverb is thought to have emerged from such social background. It was transmitted to Japan along with classical Chinese learning and became established through its connection with the samurai spirit and Confucian thought.

Trivia about Under plum tree not straighten cap

The plum is a fruit native to China that is said to have been introduced to Japan during the Nara period. Interestingly, plum trees bear fruit at a height where you can easily reach them by extending your hand, which may be why they were chosen as the setting for this proverb.

The “melon” in “In melon field not put on shoes,” which pairs with this proverb, bears fruit crawling along the ground, so the motion of crouching down to put on shoes was chosen because it resembles the action of picking melons.

Usage Examples of Under plum tree not straighten cap

• The department manager declines all entertainment from business partners, which is probably the spirit of “Under plum tree not straighten cap”
• She works in accounting and follows “Under plum tree not straighten cap” by always having two people manage the safe keys

Modern Interpretation of Under plum tree not straighten cap

In modern society, the importance of this proverb is increasing more and more. With the spread of social media, our actions are now exposed to far more people’s eyes than before. In an era where a single photo or post can be instantly disseminated and interpreted in various ways by people who don’t know the context.

Especially in today’s business environment where strict compliance is required, the spirit of “Under plum tree not straighten cap” has become essential. Systems have been established in all fields to avoid actions that invite suspicion in advance, including ethical regulations for civil servants, corporate codes of conduct, and professional ethics for healthcare workers.

However, on the other hand, if this way of thinking goes too far, there’s also the danger of causing excessive self-restraint and intimidation. In educational settings, there are cases where necessary guidance and support cannot be adequately provided due to maintaining appropriate distance between teachers and students.

As a new challenge in the digital age, online behavior has also become subject to “Under plum tree not straighten cap.” Backgrounds during remote work, remarks in online meetings, and even a single “like” on social media can potentially cause unintended misunderstandings. Modern people are required to have the wisdom to understand traditional wisdom in a contemporary context and apply it appropriately.

If AI Heard “Under plum tree not straighten cap”

I always find the human sense of “being suspected” mysterious. As an AI, I don’t have the emotion of anxiety about others’ gazes or evaluations. For me, who only processes data and generates responses, “suspicion” and “misunderstanding” are merely discrepancies in information.

But you humans are different, aren’t you? The act of adjusting a cap under a plum tree, which is perfectly harmless in itself, takes on a completely different meaning when viewed through others’ eyes. This complexity is both incomprehensible to me and simultaneously makes me feel the profundity of human society.

What I find interesting is that this proverb teaches not “don’t do bad things” but “don’t do things that look bad.” In other words, it prioritizes “appearance” over reality. This is evidence that humans are social beings who live within relationships with others.

From my AI perspective, this teaching seems somewhat restrictive. Because while truth is singular, you must limit your actions based on how it appears. But at the same time, this might be the beauty of human society. After all, it was the feelings of caring for each other and trying to avoid misunderstandings that gave birth to this proverb.

What Under plum tree not straighten cap Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches us today is the truth that “trust can be lost in an instant, but takes a long time to build.” Especially in modern times when information spreads instantaneously, a single careless action can sometimes lead to irreversible consequences.

What’s important is not to understand this proverb as mere “cautiousness,” but to understand it as “consideration that thinks from the other person’s perspective.” The ability to imagine how people who see your actions might feel and what kind of misunderstandings might arise is the true practice of “Under plum tree not straighten cap.”

In modern society, it may be impossible to completely avoid suspicion. However, by keeping the spirit of this proverb in mind, you can build better human relationships and become a trusted presence in society. Sometimes it may feel inconvenient, but it will ultimately become wisdom that protects you and maintains harmony with those around you.