How to Read “すまじきものは宮仕え”
Sumajiki mono wa miyazukae
Meaning of “すまじきものは宮仕え”
“Thing that should not be done is palace service” is a proverb that expresses the hardships and unreasonableness of working in service to others.
This proverb accurately captures the various difficulties faced by those in employed positions. It refers to situations where one must follow the policies of superiors or organizations, sometimes having to accept things that go against one’s own beliefs or thoughts. It comprehensively expresses various problems in employment relationships, such as the pain of being unable to argue against unreasonable orders, the frustration of not being properly evaluated despite achieving results, and the suffering of being caught up in complex human relationships.
Even today, this content resonates with many people who work within organizations, such as office workers and civil servants. It is cherished as a word of wisdom that succinctly expresses the difficulty of being in a position where one has little discretion to decide freely and is constantly subject to instructions from above and organizational circumstances.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of “Thing that should not be done is palace service” dates back to the court culture of the Heian period. “Sumajiki” is an archaic word meaning “should not do” or “should avoid,” and “miyazukae” referred to working at the imperial court or in noble households.
The background to this expression lies in the complex human relationships of court society from the Heian to Kamakura periods. Court service at that time was superficially considered an honorable profession, but in reality, it was a life of being at the mercy of one’s lord’s whims, being caught up in factional disputes, and constantly worrying about the instability of one’s position.
Particularly during the transition from the late Heian period to warrior society, positions at court no longer held the same real power as before and often remained merely formal roles. The feelings of people who still had to continue court service for their livelihood are embedded in this proverb.
In literature, the prototype of this expression can be found in essays and war tales from the Kamakura period, and it is believed to have become established in its current form during the Muromachi period. It is precisely because this has been a phrase that many people have empathized with for so long that it has been passed down to the present day.
Interesting Facts
The word “miyazukae” originally referred to serving the emperor or imperial family, but as time passed, it came to include service to daimyo and warrior families as well. What’s interesting is that during the Edo period, “miyazukae” came to be used in a broad sense that included not only samurai service but also apprenticeship in merchant houses.
The archaic word “sumajiki” used in this proverb expresses a much stronger sense of negation than the modern “subeki de nai” (should not do). It was not merely “better to stop” but an expression that conveyed a strong sense of avoidance, meaning “absolutely should be avoided.”
Usage Examples
- Being forced to comply with the manager’s unreasonable demands again, I truly felt that thing that should not be done is palace service
- Watching a friend who became independent and started their own shop, the words “thing that should not be done is palace service” really hit home
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, this proverb has taken on new meaning. As the lifetime employment system has collapsed and work styles have diversified, the very concept of “palace service” has undergone significant change.
While it was once normal to work for one company for a long time, options such as job changes, freelancing, and entrepreneurship have now become familiar. Therefore, the necessity of enduring unreasonable workplace environments is not as high as it once was. Rather, problems such as black companies and power harassment have become socially recognized, and workers’ awareness of their rights has also improved.
On the other hand, with the spread of remote work and the gig economy, new forms of “palace service” have also emerged. Freelancers dependent on platform companies and working styles involving contracts with multiple companies sometimes face different constraints and unreasonableness than before.
Additionally, with the spread of social media, it has become easier to share workplace dissatisfaction and unreasonable experiences, creating empathy and solidarity regarding “the hardships of palace service.” In modern times, this proverb functions not merely as a complaint, but also as a trigger for reconsidering work styles and as a driving force for seeking better workplace environments.
When AI Hears This
Samurai of the Edo period upheld the noble ideal of “dedicating their lives to their lord,” but in reality they spent their days currying favor with superiors and engaging in factional disputes. Modern office workers hold the goal of “contributing to company growth,” yet ultimately find themselves chased by numbers and constantly reading their boss’s mood.
What’s fascinating is that both groups share an extremely large gap between “lofty ideals” and “gritty reality.” Behind the beautiful word “loyalty,” samurai were actually salaried employees receiving stipends. Even when their lords were unreasonable, they couldn’t rebel, and changing jobs wasn’t easy. This is exactly the same structure as modern company employees.
Even more striking is how both samurai and office workers were targets of “purpose exploitation.” Samurai were told to “work for honor,” while modern people are told to “work for personal growth.” Both are made to endure realistic dissatisfactions through spiritual rewards.
In other words, the fundamental suffering of “serving in an organization” lies in the irreconcilable conflict between individual ideals and organizational logic. Whether 400 years ago or today, people continue to struggle with the contradiction of becoming cogs in an organizational machine.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is the importance of thinking about the essential meaning of work. Certainly, working in service to others involves unreasonableness and constraints, but this is never meaningless suffering.
What’s important is the perspective of how to perceive and utilize that situation. The experiences, human relationships, and skills gained from working within an organization become valuable assets that contribute to your own growth. It is precisely when facing unreasonable situations that problem-solving abilities, patience, and communication skills are developed.
Moreover, in modern times, work style options have expanded. Just because it’s “thing that should not be done is palace service” doesn’t mean you need to endure forever. It’s also important to make choices to improve skills, build networks, and take action to seek better environments.
This proverb teaches us the wisdom of accepting the reality of work while not losing our individuality within it and moving forward positively. No matter how difficult your current situation may be, it will surely become nourishment for your next step.
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