How to Read “Even if a bamboo spear is cut, it’s still the original bamboo”
takeyari wa kirarete mo yahari moto no take
Meaning of “Even if a bamboo spear is cut, it’s still the original bamboo”
“Even if a bamboo spear is cut, it’s still the original bamboo” means that no matter how much the appearance or form changes, the essence or true nature never changes.
Just as bamboo carved into a spear or cut into pieces remains bamboo as a material, the fundamental nature of people and things doesn’t change easily.
This proverb is often used when talking about someone’s character or true nature. It describes situations where someone may look different on the surface, but their underlying qualities remain unchanged.
It can be used both positively and negatively. For example, you might say “Even though his environment changed, even if a bamboo spear is cut, it’s still the original bamboo—his essential honesty hasn’t changed.”
Even today, this phrase carries persuasive power when expressing how deeply rooted human nature is, or how the essential qualities of things don’t change easily.
Origin and Etymology
There doesn’t seem to be a clear record of when this proverb first appeared in literature. However, we can guess how it came to be from its structure.
Bamboo is a plant deeply rooted in Japanese life. It has been used in all aspects of daily living since ancient times.
Bamboo spears were widely used as weapons and training tools from the Warring States period through the Edo period. Even when bamboo is carved into a spear shape, it’s still made from bamboo as a material.
An interesting point about this proverb is how it uses the word “yahari.” This word means “after all” or “in the end.”
The proverb expresses a truth through the familiar material of bamboo: no matter how much the form changes or how much it’s cut, the essence doesn’t change.
Even when cut, bamboo’s fiber structure and properties don’t change. Even when sharpened into a spear or burned almost to ash, it maintains its essential nature as bamboo.
From this observation came the lesson that human nature and the essence of things don’t change, no matter how the appearance changes.
This proverb shows the sharpness of Japanese nature observation and the wisdom to find life’s truths in it.
Interesting Facts
Botanically speaking, bamboo isn’t a tree but a type of grass. However, its fiber structure is extremely strong.
Its tensile strength is said to rival that of steel. Even when cut or shaved, the arrangement of its fibers and cell structure don’t change.
Under a microscope, you can still identify “this is bamboo.” The deep observation of bamboo’s physical properties may have inspired this proverb.
Bamboo spears were never powerful weapons, but they had the advantage of being easy to process and mass-produce.
However, no matter how sharply they were honed, they couldn’t match metal spears or swords. Still, bamboo remained bamboo, and neither its limitations nor its essence changed.
This realistic recognition likely led to insights about human nature.
Usage Examples
- He gained an impressive title, but even if a bamboo spear is cut, it’s still the original bamboo—his fundamental kindness remains the same as before
- Repeating the same mistakes no matter how many times he’s warned shows that even if a bamboo spear is cut, it’s still the original bamboo
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “Even if a bamboo spear is cut, it’s still the original bamboo” contains deep insight about human nature.
Throughout life, we change our environment, change our position, and sometimes try hard to change ourselves.
But what this proverb teaches is the truth that no matter how much the outside changes, something essential inside doesn’t change.
This isn’t a pessimistic teaching at all. Rather, it speaks to the importance of knowing and accepting your own essence.
Just as bamboo doesn’t need to be ashamed of being bamboo, we don’t need to deny our own essence. What matters is how we use that essence.
At the same time, this proverb encourages understanding of others. People don’t change easily.
That’s why it’s important in human relationships to recognize and respect someone’s essence. Rather than getting excited about superficial changes, we need an attitude that tries to understand the core of who someone is.
Our ancestors found human truths in nature. From observing the familiar plant of bamboo, they understood fundamental aspects of human existence.
This wisdom continues to offer important insights for both self-understanding and understanding others. Essence doesn’t change.
That’s precisely why facing that essence becomes the first step toward true growth.
When AI Hears This
Making a bamboo spear involves shaving the surface and sharpening the tip—a transformation process.
From an information theory perspective, this has an interesting characteristic: the base information of “original bamboo” is completely preserved.
There are two types of information compression. Saving a photo as JPEG is lossy compression that can’t be reversed.
ZIP format is lossless compression that can be fully restored. Processing bamboo into a spear resembles lossless compression.
Though the surface changes to a spear shape, looking at the cross-section reveals bamboo’s vascular tissue and fiber structure intact. The base data of “being bamboo” isn’t damaged at all.
The same phenomenon occurs in human society. When someone is given the position of department manager, that’s just adding superficial metadata.
The person’s thought patterns and values—their “original data”—don’t change. So when a crisis demands a decision, the outer layer of position peels away.
The person’s essential character is exposed like a cross-section.
This offers important implications for organizational design. Trying to change people through training or titles is like shaving bamboo’s surface to make a spear.
The appearance changes, but when cutting pressure is applied, the original structure always shows through. Changing essence requires intervention at a much deeper layer.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches modern people is the importance of knowing your essence and getting along with it well.
Modern society constantly demands that we “change” and “grow.” But you don’t need to change everything.
The essential part at your core is the source of what makes you who you are. It should be respected.
What matters is the wisdom to distinguish between what can be changed and what cannot. Fundamental personality tendencies may be hard to change.
But how you express them and use them can be adjusted. Rather than forcing an introverted personality to become extroverted, finding ways to leverage introversion’s strengths leads to success that’s true to you.
This teaching is also effective in relationships with others. By understanding someone’s essence and accepting it rather than trying to change it, you can build deeper trust.
People don’t change easily. Accepting that reality is the beginning of tolerance and understanding.
Affirm your own essence and respect others’ essence. From there, true growth begins.
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