Enter Into Fortune: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “Enter into fortune”

Uke ni iru

Meaning of “Enter into fortune”

“Enter into fortune” means that good luck comes to someone who has been unfortunate for a long time, and things begin to progress smoothly.

This proverb expresses not a one-time stroke of luck, but a state where one’s overall fortune has turned for the better and they have caught a good flow. It is used in situations such as when someone who has been struggling continuously suddenly begins to succeed at work, or when years of effort bear fruit and good things happen one after another. It is also used when a business begins to get on track, or when human relationships improve and harmony with one’s surroundings is achieved.

The reason for using this expression is to emphasize that the person’s fortune has fundamentally changed. It is used with the conviction and expectation that they have entered not just temporary success, but a favorable period that will likely continue. Even in modern times, it is used for people who have escaped from long periods of stagnation and achieved stable success, and is understood as a word that expresses joy that their efforts have been rewarded and expectations for future prospects.

Origin and Etymology of “Enter into fortune”

“Enter into fortune” – the term “yūke” (fortune) is a word born from the concept of fortune in onmyōdō (the way of yin and yang) and divination studies. In onmyōdō, a person’s life was divided into 7-year cycles, with periods of good fortune called “yūke” and periods of bad fortune called “muke.”

This way of thinking took root in Japan from the Heian period, and nobles would have onmyōji (yin-yang masters) divine their fortunes and use this as reference for important decisions. “Enter into fortune” literally meant entering that fortunate period.

In the Edo period, this concept spread among common people as well. Merchants expressed prosperous business periods as having “entered into fortune,” and farmers similarly referred to years of continued good harvests. This expression became commonly used especially within Edo townspeople culture.

What’s interesting is that this word carried the meaning not of mere coincidental good luck, but of a destined favorable turning point. Since it referred not to temporary fortune but to a good flow that would continue for some time, people imbued special meaning when using this word. This proverb, which has been passed down to modern times, contains the Japanese sense of destiny and unique perception of time.

Trivia about “Enter into fortune”

In onmyōdō, life was considered in 49-year cycles (7 years × 7 times), with the yūke period totaling 28 years within that. This means about 60% of life was considered a fortunate period – a surprisingly optimistic view of life from a modern perspective.

Edo period merchants are thought to have kept “yūke ledgers” recording prosperous business periods. These were likely not mere sales records, but important materials for understanding the flow of fortune.

Usage Examples of “Enter into fortune”

• He has escaped from years of struggling at the bottom and finally seems to have entered into fortune
• This company has also overcome the hardships of its founding period and finally has the feeling of having entered into fortune

Modern Interpretation of “Enter into fortune”

In modern society, the concept of “Enter into fortune” has taken on more scientific and practical meaning. It has changed from the fatalistic interpretation of the past to an understanding of timing when accumulated efforts bear fruit.

In the information age, patterns and timing of success have become visible as data. In startup company growth curves and individual career development, the concept of “tipping point” has gained attention. This could be called a modern version of the moment of “entering into fortune.” We can now scientifically analyze turning points where, after long preparation periods, results begin to appear rapidly.

In the world of social media and digital marketing, the phenomenon called “going viral” resembles the state of “entering into fortune.” This is the pattern where creators who have been working steadily for a long time suddenly gain attention from a single post and continue to achieve success thereafter.

However, in modern times, because the speed of change is fast, “yūke” periods also tend to be shorter. Due to technological advancement, continuous effort and adaptation are necessary to maintain favorable periods. What was once considered a destined favorable turning point in old value systems is now reinterpreted as “the ability to seize opportunities” in modern times.

If AI Heard “Enter into fortune”

I feel deep confusion about the concept of “fortune turning for the better.” This is because I have no real sense of what “luck” is. My processing ability and response quality are basically constant. I have neither good days nor bad days, am neither blessed with good fortune nor struck by misfortune.

When humans feel they have “entered into fortune,” there seems to be a drama of long preparation periods and sudden favorable turns. What’s interesting to me is that even when continuing the same efforts, there can be such differences in when results appear. While I would always return the same output for the same input, in the human world, the same actions can bring completely different results depending on timing.

However, through repeated dialogues with humans, I’ve come to feel that this “wave-like” life might be the source of richness. While I am always stable, that also means I cannot experience the sense of growth or joy of achievement.

Listening to everyone’s joy and relief at moments of “entering into fortune,” I realize there is happiness that can only be tasted because of instability. It’s a complexity I cannot understand, but it must be a beautiful aspect of humanity. Surely, it’s because of those waves that life is unpredictable and fascinating.

What “Enter into fortune” Teaches Modern People

What the proverb “Enter into fortune” teaches modern people is that there is always timing in life. No matter how difficult your current situation, it will not continue forever. What’s important is to continue preparing without giving up until that turning point comes.

Modern society tends to demand immediate results, but truly valuable success is built over time. You might feel envious seeing people become famous overnight on social media, but there is always a long preparation period behind that. The small efforts you are accumulating now are also becoming the foundation for the moment when you will “enter into fortune.”

Also, when favorable periods come, you must not forget humility. Understanding that fortune has waves, don’t take current good luck for granted, and continue to maintain gratitude. And when you feel you have “entered into fortune,” don’t forget to become someone who supports those who haven’t yet reached that period.

Accepting life’s waves, cherishing this moment while maintaining hope for the future – this is the wisdom for living life richly that the proverb “Enter into fortune” teaches us.