How to Read “Even a lion depends on how it uses its head”
Shishi mo kashira no tsukaigara
Meaning of “Even a lion depends on how it uses its head”
“Even a lion depends on how it uses its head” means that just as a lion dance performance depends on the skill of the person controlling the head, even the strongest individuals or best organizations depend heavily on their leader’s decisions and abilities.
This proverb is used when talking about whether organizations or teams succeed or fail. Even when talented people gather together, they can’t show their full potential if the leader’s judgment and instructions aren’t appropriate.
On the other hand, when the leader is excellent, the entire organization becomes energized.
This lesson still applies today to all kinds of groups—sports teams, companies, and project teams. Individual members’ abilities matter, but this proverb shows how important the leader’s role is.
The leader must bring people together, show direction, and place the right person in the right position. This is timeless wisdom that captures the essence of leadership in a simple phrase.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records explain the origin of this proverb. However, we can make interesting observations from how the words are structured.
When you hear “lion,” you might first think of the animal that is king of beasts. But the “lion” here likely refers to the lion dance.
Lion dance is a traditional Japanese performing art. People have enjoyed it at festivals and New Year celebrations for generations.
In lion dance, performers wear a lion head and shake it vigorously or move it gracefully. This expresses the lion’s vitality and dignity.
Even when using the same lion head, the performance quality changes greatly depending on the performer’s skill and mindset. When a skilled performer handles it, the dance becomes powerful and beautiful.
When an inexperienced person handles it, the lion’s dignity is diminished.
The expression “how it uses its head” refers precisely to how the lion head is handled and controlled. From this came the lesson that even those with excellent qualities or power will see very different results depending on the leader who guides them.
This is a crystallization of Japanese wisdom. It teaches the importance of leadership in organizations and teams through the familiar art of lion dance.
Interesting Facts
Lion dance heads are actually very heavy. Authentic ones made from carved wood, coated with lacquer, and decorated with gold leaf can weigh over 10 kilograms.
Moving around vigorously while wearing one requires considerable strength and technique. This is why the same lion head produces completely different performances depending on who wears it.
Lion dance has meanings of “exorcising evil spirits” and praying for “abundant harvests.” People believe that having the lion bite your head brings blessings of good health.
In other words, the lion isn’t just entertainment. It has been treated as a sacred being with divine power.
Because the lion carries such an important role, the responsibility of those who control it was also significant.
Usage Examples
- That team has first-class players, but even a lion depends on how it uses its head—it all depends on the coach
- Even with excellent employees, even a lion depends on how it uses its head, so the department manager’s ability is being tested
Universal Wisdom
The universal truth that “Even a lion depends on how it uses its head” tells us is that wisdom about how to use power and talent matters more than the power and talent themselves.
Looking back at human history, countless organizations and nations have declined despite having excellent resources and personnel. On the other hand, there are also numerous examples of achieving great results through outstanding leadership even under limited conditions.
This proverb has been passed down for so long because human society has always functioned as “groups.” People have accomplished through cooperation what they couldn’t achieve alone.
But groups always need someone to show direction. No matter how excellent individuals are, if they move separately, their power becomes scattered.
What’s interesting is that this proverb doesn’t just praise leaders—it also contains a warning. The more powerful an organization is, the greater the disaster if its steering goes wrong.
Power is a double-edged sword, and those who handle it bear heavy responsibility. Our ancestors packed into these few words that leadership is not a privilege but a serious duty.
This beautifully captures a timeless truth about human society. An organization’s success depends not only on the quality of its members but also on the caliber of the person who brings them together.
When AI Hears This
When you observe lion hunts, a surprising fact emerges. Even when they spot prey, they don’t immediately pounce.
They instantly calculate wind direction, distance, terrain, and the prey’s alertness level. If they judge the success probability is low, they give up the chase.
Why? Because sprinting at full speed consumes 10% of their body weight in energy. If they fail, they lose the stamina needed for the next hunt.
This is the core of optimal foraging theory. It’s a strategy of constantly calculating the balance between energy gained and energy spent, choosing only actions that result in a net positive.
Lions possess the physical ability to run 60 kilometers per hour, yet they choose very carefully when to use that power. In fact, they spend most of the day resting, with hunting taking up only about 2% of their time.
What’s interesting is that younger lions make more wasteful chases. Experienced individuals have a much better ability to predict success rates from minimal information, making them far more energy-efficient.
In other words, using your head isn’t just about wisdom. It’s a survival strategy about how to allocate limited resources.
Even for the strong—or rather, precisely because they are strong—the balance between conserving and expending power determines life and death. Nature has continued proving this truth for millions of years.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today differs depending on what position we’re in.
If you’re in a leadership position, it’s important to recognize that your decisions and management can either draw out people’s abilities or bury them.
When you have excellent members but aren’t getting results, have the courage to review your own instructions and direction before lamenting their lack of ability.
On the other hand, if you work as a team member, understanding that the organization’s success isn’t your problem alone can free you from excessive self-blame.
At the same time, recognize the value of working under a good leader. Develop the eye to choose such environments.
And everyone should remember that you might someday be in a position to guide others. For that day, you can start now observing and learning what good leadership is.
Having power and using that power correctly are separate abilities. This proverb teaches us both humility and a sense of responsibility.
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