How to Read “虎は死して皮を留め、人は死して名を残す”
Tora wa shishite kawa wo todome, hito wa shishite na wo nokosu
Meaning of “虎は死して皮を留め、人は死して名を残す”
This proverb teaches the importance of having one’s name remembered by future generations through good reputation and achievements even after death.
Just as a tiger leaves behind beautiful fur even after death, humans also leave something behind after they die. This is not wealth or status, but rather the character built during their lifetime, the good deeds they accomplished, and the good reputation engraved in people’s hearts. This proverb teaches the importance of living a valuable life that will be remembered by people for a long time, rather than pursuing immediate gains or temporary pleasures.
As for usage situations, it is often used when someone performs admirable acts or when discussing the meaning of life. It is also sometimes used when mourning the death of great people. Even in modern times, when considering what constitutes a truly valuable life, the teaching of this proverb continues to hold deep meaning. This is because fame and reputation cannot be built overnight, but are formed through daily accumulation.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb lies in the phrase “虎死留皮、人死留名” (Tiger dies leaving skin, person dies leaving name) from the ancient Chinese classic “Records of the Grand Historian” (Shiji). This historical work compiled by Sima Qian recorded the lives of many figures, and within it expressed the concept that “people leave behind their names even after death.”
It is believed to have been introduced to Japan between the Heian and Kamakura periods, along with Buddhist and Confucian teachings. During that time in Japan, the warrior class was beginning to rise, and there was a historical background where a culture that valued honor and fame was taking root. This proverb likely penetrated deeply into Japanese culture because it aligned with such values.
The tiger was chosen as the animal because in China, tigers have long been revered as the “king of beasts,” and their beautiful fur was considered extremely valuable. Tiger fur was also a symbol of power holders and was a precious item that was preserved long after death. On the other hand, the contrast that the most valuable thing for humans is “fame” or “honor” forms the core of this proverb.
During the Edo period, it became widely used among common people and has become one of the representative proverbs passed down to modern times.
Interesting Facts
Tiger fur was a luxury item in ancient China that only emperors and high officials were permitted to use. Only one pelt could be obtained from one tiger, and its beautiful striped pattern could not be created artificially, making it truly an “irreplaceable precious item.”
The Chinese character for “name” (名) that appears in this proverb originally combined “夕” (evening) and “口” (mouth), and is said to have originated from the meaning “to make one’s existence known by voice even in darkness.” In other words, it represents being a presence that can be recognized by people even in invisible situations, which is deeply related to the meaning of the proverb.
Usage Examples
- That company president not only grew the company but also nurtured many talented people, so he truly lived in a way that exemplifies “Tiger dies and leaves skin, person dies and leaves name.”
- Rather than money or status, I want to live in a way where a person dies and leaves name.
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, new complexities have emerged in the interpretation of this proverb. With the spread of social media and the internet, the meaning of “leaving a name” has changed significantly.
Previously, only a limited number of people could inscribe their names in history, but now anyone can become a communicator and leave traces in digital space. However, at the same time, the risk of leaving behind a “bad name” in unwanted ways has increased due to online controversies and the spread of false information. In modern times, “what kind of name to leave” has become a more important issue.
Also, with the diversification of values, the definition of traditional “admirable fame” has also changed. Not only social status and achievements, but also kindness to those close to us and small acts of goodness have come to be recognized as equally valuable.
On the other hand, in an age of information overload, truly valuable achievements tend to get buried. Modern people need the ability to distinguish between “going viral” and “leaving a name.” Momentary attention and valuable acts that are remembered for a long time are fundamentally different things.
This proverb serves as a valuable guideline that makes us think about what we truly want to leave for posterity, especially because we live in an era of rapid change.
When AI Hears This
When this proverb was born, “leaving a name” required generations of accumulated recognition and evaluation. However, in today’s world, a single viral video can reach hundreds of millions of people within 24 hours, instantly carving a “name” into global consciousness. This shift isn’t merely technological innovation—it’s fundamentally redefining what fame itself means.
Traditional “name-leaving” was premised on objective posthumous evaluation, but digital society has made real-time evaluation during one’s lifetime everything. On Twitter and TikTok, the number of “likes” instantly becomes a metric for social value, eliminating the need to wait for posthumous judgment. Instead, our digital footprints accumulate while we’re alive, becoming our permanent “name.”
What’s fascinating is how this change has created a value shift from “quality over quantity” to “sustainability over moments.” While going viral temporarily has become easier, the difficulty of continuously creating meaningful content has been thrown into sharp relief. Perhaps “leaving a name” in the modern era means continuously creating essential value that won’t be consumed by algorithms.
As a result, this proverb is evolving from “die and leave a name” to “live and accumulate meaning”—a concept that’s very much present tense. The true challenge of the digital age lies in how to leave genuinely valuable footprints amid countless streams of information.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is that the true value of life lies not in “how long you lived” but in “how you lived.”
When caught up in daily busyness, we tend to focus only on immediate results and profits. However, what’s truly important is leaving good memories in the hearts of the people we’ve interacted with. This doesn’t need to be great achievements. Love for family, consideration for friends, sincerity at work, small acts of kindness to strangers. It’s the accumulation of such daily actions that shapes your “name” as a person.
In modern society, we tend to measure our worth by the number of social media followers or “likes,” but truly lasting value cannot be expressed in numbers. In the hearts of people who were encouraged by your words, moved by your actions, and learned from you, your “name” will continue to be engraved forever.
Today might also become a day that remains in someone’s memory in the future. When you think about it that way, doesn’t every day feel more meaningful?
Comments