How to Read “遼東の豕”
Ryōtō no inoko
Meaning of “遼東の豕”
“Liaodong’s pig” is a proverb that expresses the foolishness of thinking something commonplace is rare due to knowing only a narrow world, and boasting about it with pride.
This proverb warns against situations where one fails to realize that their knowledge and experience are limited, and mistakenly thinks something that is common sense in the world is like a great discovery. It is used when someone judges things with narrow insight and speaks proudly about something that isn’t particularly significant.
Even today, it is sometimes used for people who have become narrow-minded by confining themselves to specialized fields, or those who make judgments relying only on limited sources of information. The reason for using this expression is not simply to criticize someone as “ignorant,” but to encourage deeper reflection based on classical learning.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Liaodong’s pig” lies in a historical tale recorded in the Chinese classic “Book of the Later Han.” Liaodong corresponds to the northeastern region of present-day China and was long considered a frontier territory.
According to this tale, a farmer in the Liaodong region was greatly surprised when his pig gave birth to a rare pig with a white head. The farmer thought “This is a miracle that exists nowhere else in the world” and enthusiastically set out to present it to the emperor in the capital.
However, when he reached a region called Hedong, he discovered that white-headed pigs were actually common there and not rare at all. The farmer was ashamed of his ignorance and returned home as he was.
From this tale came the expression “Liaodong’s pig,” which came to represent the foolishness of knowing only a narrow world and boasting about commonplace things as if they were rare. It was introduced to Japan along with Chinese classics and came to be used among learned and cultured people. It has long been cherished as a proverb with a lesson similar to “a frog in a well.”
Interesting Facts
The Liaodong region corresponds to present-day Liaoning Province and was called “land beyond civilization” in ancient China, considered an uncivilized frontier. Therefore, in this tale, it is used as a stage device to emphasize the ignorance of the people of Liaodong.
Interestingly, the characteristic of pigs having white heads is actually not that rare depending on the breed. From the perspective of modern animal husbandry, the farmer’s mistake in this tale is understandable.
Usage Examples
- He thinks his company’s common sense is the world standard, but he’s truly Liaodong’s pig
- He was excited about discovering a new method, but it was already common knowledge in the industry—he was Liaodong’s pig
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the lesson of “Liaodong’s pig” has become increasingly important. With the spread of the internet, information appears to be abundant at first glance, but in reality, due to “filter bubble” and “echo chamber” phenomena, there is a growing tendency to be exposed only to opinions of people with similar thoughts.
Social media algorithms prioritize displaying information that matches your interests and concerns, so your perspective unknowingly becomes narrow. Even though you think you’re exposed to a wide range of information, you may actually be getting only information from a limited range.
Moreover, in modern times where specialization in professional fields is advancing, there are increasing cases where experts in each field mistake common sense that only applies in their domain for universal truth. Both in academia and corporations, walls between departments become higher, making people tend to be ignorant of trends in other fields.
On the other hand, we also live in an era where knowledge and technology that were once region-specific spread instantly around the world due to globalization. It’s not uncommon for inventions or ideas that you thought were “groundbreaking” to have already been put into practical use in other countries or regions. Modern “Liaodong’s pig” may be created not by geographical distance, but by information bias and walls between specialized fields.
When AI Hears This
The geographical isolation and ignorance depicted in “Liaodong’s pig” bears a striking resemblance to the information bias created by modern social media algorithms. Just as the people of Liaodong were unaware of the white pigs in the Central Plains, we too are shown only posts from people with similar values and interests through recommendation algorithms, losing opportunities to encounter different perspectives.
What’s particularly noteworthy is that both situations create the illusion that “the world you see is everything there is.” Just as the Liaodong people, knowing only black pigs, marveled at white ones, social media users easily assume that the opinions flowing through their timelines represent the entirety of public opinion. In fact, a 2020 study revealed that approximately 70% of Twitter users follow only accounts with politically similar viewpoints.
Even more fascinating is how both structures only allow people to recognize their ignorance through contact with the “outside world.” Just as Liaodong people faced embarrassment when they ventured into the Central Plains, social media users only realize the narrowness of their perspective when they encounter different communities.
This parallel demonstrates that human cognitive biases remain fundamentally unchanged regardless of technological advancement. Both ancient geographical constraints and modern algorithms exploit the same human tendency to seek “comfortable information environments.”
Lessons for Today
“Liaodong’s pig” teaches modern people the importance of humility and curiosity. No matter how much knowledge you have, no matter how much experience you accumulate, the world is much broader and deeper than you think.
In modern society, while specialization is valued, narrow-mindedness can sometimes become a problem. But there’s no need to fear this. What’s important is honestly acknowledging that “there are many things I don’t know.” If you do so, you’ll see opportunities for new discoveries and learning.
Also, having an attitude of listening to other people’s opinions and knowledge from different fields is important. What’s obvious to you might be a fresh discovery for others, and vice versa. By sharing each other’s “common sense,” richer understanding is born.
This proverb is not meant to criticize you. Rather, it’s a phrase that gives you the joy of continuing to learn and the courage to encounter new worlds.
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