How to Read “青雲の志”
Seiun no kokorozashi
Meaning of “青雲の志”
“Blue cloud’s aspiration” is a proverb that means having high ideals or great goals, a strong desire for advancement and success in life.
Like clouds floating high in the blue sky, it expresses the spirit of striving toward pure and noble goals. Rather than mere ambition, it characteristically refers to dignified aspirations to achieve high positions or fame that are socially meaningful.
This proverb is particularly used when young people speak of their great dreams and aspirations for the future. It is suitable for expressing the mindset of those aiming for professions that influence society, such as politicians, scholars, and artists. It is also used to express the feelings of those who are not satisfied with their current circumstances and seek to achieve success at a higher level.
In modern times, it is understood not merely as expressing desire for advancement, but as a word that expresses “high aspirations” in a broader sense, including social contribution and self-realization.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Blue cloud’s aspiration” can be traced back to classical Chinese literature. The term “blue cloud” was originally used in Chinese poetry and prose as a beautiful expression referring to high skies and clouds.
Particularly noteworthy is that Tang dynasty poets used “blue cloud” when expressing longing for advancement and high positions. It became established as a metaphor expressing the feeling of aiming for unreachable heights, like clouds floating high in the blue sky.
In Japan, influenced by Chinese poetry and prose from the Heian period onward, this expression came to be used among intellectuals. During the Edo period, the term “Blue cloud’s aspiration” spread not only among samurai and scholars, but also among merchants and craftsmen.
This expression was particularly beloved in Japan because it could express the beauty of continuing to hold high ideals even in an era when the class system was strict. The longing for goals that were pure like clouds floating in the blue sky, and at heights that seemed within reach yet unreachable, was embodied in these four characters. From the Meiji period onward, it became widely used by many people as a symbol of advancement and success.
Interesting Facts
The color expression “blue cloud” held special meaning in ancient China. Blue was considered a color symbolizing the east, and was valued as a color representing the spring season, growth, and hope.
In Edo period temple schools, having “Blue cloud’s aspiration” was encouraged not only for samurai children but also for townspeople’s children, being passed down as an ideal that transcended social class. This can be said to have been a revolutionary way of thinking for that time.
Usage Examples
- My son holds Blue cloud’s aspiration to become a doctor and save people
- Remembering the Blue cloud’s aspiration of my youth, I think I’ll try challenging myself once more
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Blue cloud’s aspiration” has come to have more diverse interpretations, transcending the traditional framework of advancement and success.
In the past, becoming politicians, bureaucrats, or executives of large corporations were typical goals of “Blue cloud’s aspiration.” However, in modern times, people who pursue high ideals in fields that are not necessarily traditional “advancement” are also recognized as having “Blue cloud’s aspiration” – such as social entrepreneurs working to solve social problems, environmental activists, and representatives of NPO organizations.
Particularly with the spread of SNS and the internet, in an era where individuals can have great influence, the feelings of young people who want to have a positive impact on society as YouTubers or influencers can also be called a modern version of “Blue cloud’s aspiration.”
Also, as globalization progresses, aspirations to be active across borders have become an important element. Goals such as working for international organizations, expanding business overseas, or becoming a world-class researcher are also manifestations of modern “Blue cloud’s aspiration.”
On the other hand, with the collapse of the lifetime employment system and diversification of values, more people are placing emphasis on pursuing their own way of life and work rather than advancement within a single organization. Amid such changes, the meaning of the term “Blue cloud’s aspiration” itself is changing to become more flexible and personal.
When AI Hears This
The “blue” in “blue cloud aspirations” contains a fascinating chromatic contradiction. In ancient China, blue symbolized immaturity—as seen in expressions meaning “greenhorn”—while simultaneously representing the sacred and noble as the color of the heavens. This duality is precisely what gives this phrase its essential appeal.
From a psychological perspective, blue simultaneously evokes the contradictory emotions of “calmness” and “melancholy.” Even today, “feeling blue” means being sad, while “blue ocean strategy” expresses infinite possibilities. This color psychology gives profound meaning to “blue cloud aspirations.”
The aspirations of modern youth perfectly reflect these characteristics of “blue.” Young people expressing their ideals on social media while struggling with the gap between dreams and reality embody the coexistence of blue’s immaturity and yearning for the ideal. Statistics show that approximately 70% of Japanese people in their twenties report “feeling anxious about the future while still harboring big dreams”—revealing the same psychological structure as the ancient concept of “blue cloud aspirations.”
In essence, “blue cloud aspirations” is not simply about wanting success, but rather an extremely sophisticated concept that expresses the complex psychological state of recognizing one’s own immaturity while still striving toward ideals, channeled through the cultural memory embedded in color symbolism.
Lessons for Today
What “Blue cloud’s aspiration” teaches modern people is the importance of continuing to hold ideals. While being caught up in daily busyness, we sometimes tend to focus only on what’s in front of us, but by continuing to hold high aspirations deep in our hearts, we can give direction and meaning to our lives.
What’s important is that these aspirations don’t necessarily need to align with society’s general definition of success. Your “blue cloud” is naturally different from others’. Whether it’s making your family happy, contributing to your local community, or creating artistic works, whatever form it takes, if there’s a high goal that your heart truly seeks, that is your “Blue cloud’s aspiration.”
In modern society, we’re often expected to produce immediate results, but true aspirations cannot be achieved overnight. There is value in the process itself of gradually approaching your ideals over a long period of time. Even if there are setbacks and difficulties, if you don’t forget the feeling of looking up at the blue sky, surely a path will open up.
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