How to Read “三十過ぎての男の伊達は彼岸過ぎての麦の肥”
Sanjuu sugite no otoko no date wa, higan sugite no mugi no koe
Meaning of “三十過ぎての男の伊達は彼岸過ぎての麦の肥”
This proverb expresses that when a man past thirty suddenly starts caring about his grooming and appearance, it’s already too late and ineffective.
It’s a saying that teaches the importance of continuously cultivating oneself from a young age and acquiring education and refinement. Just as wheat cannot be expected to yield a good harvest unless fertilizer is applied before the equinox, humans must continue their efforts to improve themselves from a young age, or it will be too late no matter how much they rush later on.
This expression is used when observing middle-aged men who suddenly start paying attention to their clothing or trying to look younger. It was also used as a warning for people who try to suddenly begin academic or artistic pursuits after aging.
Even today, the basic concept remains unchanged. It shows the importance of continuous self-improvement and making appropriate efforts at the right time. However, in modern times, the concept of lifelong learning has spread, and the value of taking on new challenges regardless of age is also recognized, so careful consideration is needed when applying this proverb.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb is an expression that became widely used from the Edo period to the Meiji period, born from the wisdom of agricultural society.
The part “wheat fertilizer past equinox” represents the core of this proverb. The spring equinox is around late March, and applying fertilizer to wheat after this time is already too late. Wheat is sown in autumn, allowed to establish strong roots during winter, and given sufficient nutrition before the spring equinox to achieve a rich harvest in early summer. Fertilizing after the equinox has almost no effect on wheat growth and becomes wasted effort.
The cleverness of this proverb lies in overlaying this agricultural common sense with human grooming and attention to appearance. For people of the Edo period, agricultural practices were everyday knowledge closely connected to their lives. That’s why they expressed the concept of “wasted effort at the wrong time” using the wheat farming analogy that everyone could understand.
Particularly for men, they taught the importance of acquiring grooming and education from a young age through this familiar farming analogy. It’s considered to have been a persuasive teaching based on actual experience unique to agricultural society.
Usage Examples
- Even if you suddenly awaken to fashion after turning forty, a man’s vanity past thirty is wheat fertilizer past equinox
- Starting English conversation now is like they say, a man’s vanity past thirty is wheat fertilizer past equinox
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, major changes have occurred in the interpretation of this proverb. In what’s called the 100-year life era, thirty years old is still just the beginning of life. Career changes and job switches have become commonplace, and it’s not unusual for people to take on new fields in their forties and fifties.
Particularly in the information society, learning opportunities have dramatically increased. Online education and skill-up courses have made it possible to acquire new knowledge and skills regardless of age. We frequently hear stories of people who start programming in their sixties and succeed, or those who enter graduate school after retirement.
Moreover, modern values embrace the mainstream thinking that “it’s never too late to start anything.” The extension of healthy life expectancy, allowing people to remain physically and mentally active for longer periods, has also supported this change.
On the other hand, the essential message of this proverb about “the importance of continuous effort” is still perfectly valid today. The value of starting self-improvement from an early stage remains unchanged. However, in modern times, rather than the concept of “too late,” a positive attitude of “let’s start now” is emphasized.
As a result, this proverb is used less frequently in modern times and is often perceived as an outdated way of thinking.
When AI Hears This
During the Edo period, when average life expectancy hovered around 50 years, turning 30 meant you had already passed 60% of your life—essentially entering your “twilight years.” Born from this historical context, this proverb originally warned against self-improvement in your thirties as “futile effort that comes too late.”
But in today’s era of 100-year lifespans, the thirties carry completely different significance. Neuroscience research shows that the human brain maintains substantial plasticity well into the thirties, making it an optimal period for acquiring new skills. In fact, the average age of MBA graduates is 28-30, and data reveals that entrepreneurs in their late thirties have the highest success rates.
Even more fascinating is the concept of “the thirties transition” in modern career theory. Psychologist Erikson’s developmental stage theory identifies the thirties as the period of “generativity vs. stagnation”—precisely when the drive for self-investment and growth reaches its peak.
In essence, what the Edo period viewed as the “symbol of being too late”—the thirties—has completely flipped in modern times to become our “second adolescence” and “the true starting point of self-actualization.” This proverb serves as living historical testimony to how changing times can fundamentally transform our concept of life’s “right timing.”
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is the importance of “starting from this very moment.” While there may be age-related constraints, what’s more important is taking action immediately when you think of something.
In modern society, we can also view this proverb from the opposite perspective. Rather than giving up thinking “it’s too late,” we should maintain a positive attitude of “let’s start now.” The thirties, forties, fifties—each age group has things that can only be done at that particular time.
What’s important is not superficial changes made out of concern for others’ opinions, but working on areas where you truly want to grow. Learning later in life has a depth and persuasiveness that wasn’t there in youth. It’s precisely because of the rich soil of life experience that new seeds can sprout with greater strength.
If you’re thinking of starting something now, there’s no need to give up because of your age. Unlike the era when this proverb was born, modern times provide an environment where you can take on new challenges at any age. What’s important is not seeking perfection, but starting step by step with what you can do now.
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