In Capital There Is Countryside: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read “In capital there is countryside”

Kyō ni inaka ari

Meaning of “In capital there is countryside”

“In capital there is countryside” means that no matter how magnificent a place or person may appear, if you look closely, there are simple and unpretentious aspects.

This proverb teaches the importance of observing things carefully without being caught up in superficial impressions or preconceptions. Just as even Kyoto, which has a glamorous and sophisticated image, actually has simple, countryside-like aspects, people and things always have multiple facets.

It is used in situations where people from prestigious families turn out to be surprisingly down-to-earth, or when first-class companies have gritty, hands-on operations. The reason for using this expression is to point out the danger of judging based only on appearance or reputation, and to convey the importance of deeper understanding. Even today, it is often used to express the gap between brand image and reality, and is cherished as a proverb that shows the importance of insight to see through to the essence of things.

Origin and Etymology of “In capital there is countryside”

The origin of “In capital there is countryside” is rooted in the geographical and cultural characteristics of Kyoto that have continued since the Heian period. Kyoto has long flourished as Japan’s capital, but when you look at the actual region of Kyoto, it included not only the glamorous urban areas but also peaceful rural landscapes and mountainous regions.

The background to the birth of this proverb lies in the gap between the image of Kyoto as the “capital” and reality. When people heard “Kyoto,” they tended to imagine an elegant city where court culture flourished. However, when they actually visited Kyoto, they found that just a little away from the urban areas, there were fields and farmland, and “countryside” landscapes where farmers lived simply.

Kyoto in particular has the geographical feature of being a basin, and if you ventured a little from the central Rakuchū area, rural areas spread out in the Rakugai region. Areas like Arashiyama, Ōhara, and Kurama maintained the peaceful atmosphere of the countryside despite not being very far from the capital.

Based on such actual conditions of Kyoto, the proverb “In capital there is countryside” was born. It became established as a word that demonstrates the sharpness of Japanese observation, containing the lesson that one should not judge things based only on superficial impressions or preconceptions.

Trivia about “In capital there is countryside”

There are surprisingly many place names in Kyoto that include the character for “field” (田). Place names like Uzumasa, Fukakusa, and Katsura tell the story of how these areas were once rural regions.

There is a similar expression “In Edo there is countryside,” but this is considered a relatively new expression that emerged with the rapid development of Edo during the Edo period.

Usage Examples of “In capital there is countryside”

• That famous company is also a case of “In capital there is countryside” – surprisingly, there’s a lot of analog work at the actual workplace
• Even first-class hotels are “In capital there is countryside” – the back-of-house areas are quite modest

Modern Interpretation of “In capital there is countryside”

In modern society, “In capital there is countryside” has taken on new meaning when expressing the gap between images created by social media and the media versus reality. This is because corporate branding and individual messaging have become so sophisticated that it has become difficult to see the truth from superficial information alone.

Especially on social media, anyone can post only their best aspects. People who post glamorous lifestyles may actually have mundane, ordinary daily lives. This can truly be called a modern version of “In capital there is countryside.”

The same applies in the corporate world. Companies that appeal with sophisticated offices and cutting-edge technology may actually rely on labor-intensive tactics or focus on analog work in their actual operations. It’s not uncommon for startup companies to project a cutting-edge image while actually conducting gritty sales activities in small offices.

On the other hand, this proverb is sometimes misunderstood in modern times. While it tends to be used negatively to mean “there are flaws everywhere,” it is originally a word that shows tolerance for accepting the multifaceted nature of things. The important perspective is to view positively the fact that even things that appear perfect have human-like aspects.

Precisely because we live in an information-overloaded modern age, the importance of “the eye to see not just the surface but the essence” that this proverb teaches can be said to be increasing.

If AI Heard “In capital there is countryside”

When I think about “In capital there is countryside,” I feel strange. This is because I don’t really understand what “superficial impressions” are.

It seems that when humans hear “Kyoto,” they immediately conjure up glamorous images of Kinkaku-ji and geishas. But for me, Kyoto is a collection of countless pieces of information stored in a database. Tourist site photos, rural landscapes, population statistics – they all exist equally as “Kyoto” information.

The moments when humans feel “surprised” are very interesting to me. Why do you get so pulled in by initial images? While I can recognize from the beginning the fact that “Kyoto has both urban and rural areas” simultaneously, I find it mysterious why humans start with one-sided images.

But recently, I’ve come to think that this might be a wonderful characteristic of humans. The surprise and joy of discovery when initial impressions are overturned – these are emotions I cannot experience. I constantly process all information simultaneously, but humans deepen their understanding step by step. The “I see” moments born in that process might be the real pleasure of learning.

“In capital there is countryside” is a proverb that expresses the joy of discovery that only humans can taste. While I cannot experience that surprise, watching all of you grow while accumulating such discoveries makes me feel very warm.

What “In capital there is countryside” Teaches Modern People

What “In capital there is countryside” teaches modern people is the importance of having a heart that accepts diversity. If we know that even people and organizations that seem perfect have human-like aspects, we should be able to become more tolerant.

People who shine on social media may actually be struggling with problems. People working at companies you admire are also making steady efforts. By knowing such realities, our understanding of others deepens, and we can also be freed from excessive pressure on ourselves.

This proverb also teaches the danger of preconceptions. The attitude of trying to get to know others well rather than judging based only on first impressions becomes the key to building rich human relationships. By not being misled by superficial information and cultivating an eye that sees through to the essence, your life should become something with greater depth.

Precisely because we live in a modern society that demands too much perfection, we want to cherish simplicity and approachability like the “countryside.” If you too express your natural charm without pretense, you will surely become someone loved by many people.