How to Read “尻切れとんぼ”
Shirikire tonbo
Meaning of “尻切れとんぼ”
“Buttocks cut dragonfly” is a proverb that describes a state where things end halfway and are not completed.
It refers to situations where conversations, explanations, or work end midway and are not finished to the end. It is particularly used in situations where the topic suddenly changes in the middle of a conversation, explanations are incomplete with crucial parts missing, or plans and work are left unfinished without being completed to the end.
The reason for using this proverb is to gently point out to the other person with the sentiment of “I’d like you to explain in more detail” or “I’d like you to finish it properly to the end.” Rather than directly criticizing, by using the familiar insect of a dragonfly as an example, it’s possible to encourage improvement without hurting the other person. Even in modern times, it’s used when presentations in meetings end midway or when the conclusion part of a report is insufficient, serving as an expression to convey the importance of completeness.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Buttocks cut dragonfly” is deeply related to the physical characteristics and flight patterns of dragonflies. Dragonflies are insects with elongated bodies, and the expression “buttocks cut” arose from the fact that their tail (the tip of the abdomen) becomes thin.
Behind the birth of this proverb lies the sharp observational skills of the Japanese people regarding nature. People in the past carefully observed how dragonflies fly. Dragonflies have the habit of starting to fly vigorously in straight lines, but suddenly changing direction or stopping their flight at unexpected places. This flight pattern was overlapped with situations where something is started but ends halfway.
Also, the appearance of a dragonfly’s thin tail looking as if it were cut off midway is thought to have influenced this expression. Since this expression can be found in literature from the Edo period, it’s presumed to be a proverb that was established at least several hundred years ago.
Among Japanese proverbs that apply characteristics of creatures in the natural world to human behavior and situations, “Buttocks cut dragonfly” has been cherished as a particularly visual and easy-to-understand example. The wisdom of our ancestors, who skillfully expressed human behavioral patterns through the familiar insect of the dragonfly, is embedded in this saying.
Interesting Facts
Dragonflies actually have extremely excellent flying abilities, being able to fly freely in all directions – forward, backward, left, and right – and can even hover in mid-air. Even in modern aeronautical engineering, the wing structure and flight mechanisms of dragonflies are subjects of research.
While dragonflies are used as symbols of “halfway” in this proverb, there’s the ironic fact that biologically they possess nearly perfect flight techniques. Probably people in the past focused only on the unpredictable flight patterns of dragonflies and created this expression.
Usage Examples
- His explanations are always Buttocks cut dragonfly, and in the end, you can’t understand what he’s trying to say
- The project we started with such enthusiasm ended up as Buttocks cut dragonfly, which was such a waste
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Buttocks cut dragonfly” has come to have more serious meaning. In the information age, short-text communication through SNS and messaging apps has become mainstream, and there’s a tendency to neglect detailed explanations and careful discussions. Modern people, accustomed to 140-character tweets and short video content, tend to avoid reading long texts or thinking deeply.
Even in business settings, due to emphasizing efficiency, important explanations and discussions increasingly become Buttocks cut dragonfly. In online meetings, time constraints are strict, and it’s not uncommon to rush to conclusions without sufficient discussion. Also, cases where plans end halfway due to personnel changes or budget cuts in the middle of projects occur frequently.
On the other hand, modern times have also given birth to values that prioritize “speed over perfectionism.” Methods like “agile development” in the IT industry, which focus on releasing products early even if incomplete and then making improvements, are gaining attention. In this context, the traditional concept of “Buttocks cut dragonfly” is not necessarily always a bad thing.
However, when it comes to truly important matters, the attitude of taking responsibility and completing things to the end remains unchanged. Perhaps because of modern times, the lesson of “taking responsibility to the end” that this proverb holds has become even more important.
When AI Hears This
If the true origin of “shirikire tonbo” (abrupt ending) lies in Honda Tadakatsu’s legendary spear “Tonbokiri” (Dragonfly Cutter), then this phrase represents not mere half-heartedness, but the flip side of bushido perfectionism.
The Tonbokiri was a legendary spear so sharp that “a dragonfly trying to land on it was sliced clean in half.” In other words, the perfect weapon produces perfect results without effort. However, “shirikire tonbo” contains the irony that this perfect sharpness became a term meaning “incomplete” or “cut short.”
Bushido valued an aesthetic of completion through single acts: “itto ryodan” (cutting through with one stroke), “ichigo ichie” (one time, one meeting). The tea ceremony’s reverence for once-in-a-lifetime encounters, kendo’s decisiveness of a single winning strike—these all embody the philosophy of “complete commitment.”
Yet on actual battlefields, pursuing perfection too intensely could lead to spending too much time on preparation, missing the crucial moment. Having a legendary spear like the Tonbokiri means nothing if your strategy remains half-baked.
We see the same phenomenon today. Trying to perfect a presentation until time runs out, or losing business opportunities while crafting the perfect plan. Bushido-style perfectionism sometimes becomes our greatest enemy.
“Shirikire tonbo” has consistently warned us, from the samurai era to today, about human weakness—possessing perfect tools or skills yet failing to fully utilize them.
Lessons for Today
“Buttocks cut dragonfly” teaches modern people “the importance of taking responsibility to the end.” In our busy daily lives, we tend to end things halfway. But if we truly care about others, it’s important to give explanations carefully to the end and keep promises through to completion.
At the same time, this proverb also teaches us “flexibility without demanding too much perfection.” Sometimes, even if something is Buttocks cut dragonfly, there are situations where it’s necessary to respond flexibly according to the circumstances. What’s important is making intentional choices.
Why don’t you try, starting today, to speak with your heart to the end in conversations with important people, and take responsibility to complete important projects? At the same time, maintain the courage to move forward even when things aren’t perfect. That balance is the wisdom for living in modern times.
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