Serious

Proverbs

Demon’s Empty Buddhist Prayer: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Original Japanese: 鬼の空念仏 (Oni no kara nenbutsu)Literal meaning: Demon's empty Buddhist prayerCultural context: This prov...
Proverbs

Tofu With Clamp: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Original Japanese: 豆腐に鎹 (Tōfu ni kasugai)Literal meaning: Tofu with clampCultural context: This proverb compares trying ...
Proverbs

Green Forest: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Original Japanese: 緑林 (Ryokurin)Literal meaning: Green forestCultural context: This term refers to bands of outlaws or b...
Proverbs

Bushido Called Thing Is Dying Thing And Discovered: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Original Japanese: 武士道と云うは死ぬ事と見付けたり (Bushidō to iu wa shinu koto to mitsuke tari.)Literal meaning: Bushido called thing ...
Proverbs

Deep River Flows Quietly: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Original Japanese: 深い川は静かに流れる (Fukai kawa wa shizuka ni nagareru.)Literal meaning: Deep river flows quietlyCultural cont...
Proverbs

Warrior Does Not Eat But High Toothpick: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Original Japanese: 武士は食わねど高楊枝 (Bushi wa kuwanedo takayōji)Literal meaning: Warrior does not eat but high toothpickCultur...
Proverbs

Macaque Monkey And Crown: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Original Japanese: 沐猴にして冠す (Bokukou ni shite kansu)Literal meaning: Macaque monkey and crownCultural context: This prove...
Proverbs

There Is No Branch Wood That Surpasses Main Wood: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Original Japanese: 本木に勝る末木なし (Honki ni masaru sueki nashi)Literal meaning: There is no branch wood that surpasses main w...
Proverbs

The Enemy Is At Honno-ji: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Original Japanese: 敵は本能寺にあり (Teki ha Honnouji Niari)Literal meaning: The enemy is at Honno-jiCultural context: This prov...
Proverbs

Folly’s One Heart: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Original Japanese: 虚仮の一心 (Koke no Isshin)Literal meaning: Folly's one heartCultural context: This proverb reflects the J...