Draw Tiger And Resemble Dog: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Proverbs

Original Japanese: 虎を描きて狗に類す (Tora wo egakite inu ni ruisu)

Literal meaning: Draw tiger and resemble dog

Cultural context: This proverb reflects Japan’s deep appreciation for artistic mastery and the cultural understanding that attempting something beyond one’s skill level often results in embarrassing failure. In Japanese society, where craftsmanship and dedication to perfecting one’s art form are highly valued, the image of confidently setting out to paint a majestic tiger only to produce something resembling a common dog resonates as a cautionary tale about overambition. The metaphor draws on the cultural reverence for tigers as symbols of power and strength in East Asian art, making the contrast with a humble dog particularly striking to Japanese audiences who understand the vast difference in status and artistic difficulty between depicting these two animals.

How to Read Draw tiger and resemble dog

Tora wo egakite inu ni ruisu

Meaning of Draw tiger and resemble dog

“Draw tiger and resemble dog” means attempting to create something magnificent but ending up with something mediocre due to insufficient skill.

This proverb expresses situations where one tackles something with high ideals or goals, but lacks the ability or technique to achieve the expected results. It represents the gap between ambition and actual ability through the metaphor of enthusiastically trying to draw a dignified tiger-like figure, only to end up with an ordinary dog-like painting.

This proverb is mainly used when feeling the difference between ideals and reality in creative activities, learning, work, and other situations. It doesn’t deny effort at all, but rather teaches the difficulty of having high goals and the importance of acquiring the skills to match them. Even today, this expression fits perfectly when trying to create good-looking social media posts that don’t turn out as intended, or when attempting to imitate someone you admire only to end up halfway there.

Origin and Etymology of Draw tiger and resemble dog

“Draw tiger and resemble dog” is a proverb that originates from Chinese classics. This expression was originally found in Chinese historical records and literary works, and is thought to have been transmitted to Japan through classical Chinese texts.

The tiger has long been regarded as a symbol of dignity and power in both China and Japan. Its majestic appearance was popular as a motif in paintings and sculptures, and was a subject that many painters challenged themselves with. However, expressing the power and dignity that tigers possess was extremely difficult, requiring high technical skill and deep observational ability.

On the other hand, dogs were familiar animals that people were close to, but compared to tigers, they were perceived as lacking in dignity. The background to the birth of this proverb lies in the fact that the contrast between these animals was effective as a metaphor expressing immaturity in painting techniques and the gap between ideals and reality.

In Japan, it became widely used from around the Edo period, and became established particularly in the fields of art and learning as a word expressing situations where one has high aspirations but lacks the accompanying ability. The historical background where classical Chinese education was emphasized is also thought to have influenced the spread of this proverb.

Usage Examples of Draw tiger and resemble dog

  • That newcomer is doing acting conscious of great actors, but it feels like “Draw tiger and resemble dog”
  • I tried to imitate high-end restaurant cuisine, but it was “Draw tiger and resemble dog” and became ordinary home cooking

Modern Interpretation of Draw tiger and resemble dog

In modern society, “Draw tiger and resemble dog” situations have become more familiar and frequent. This is because the spread of social media has made it an era where anyone can easily share their works and achievements. Trying to recreate beautiful food photos seen on Instagram but not achieving the desired result. Attempting to create videos like popular YouTube creators but editing skills not keeping up. These are experiences that probably everyone in modern times has had.

Particularly with the development of digital technology, opportunities to compare professional and amateur works on the same platform have increased. While it’s easier to get started, the gap between ideals and reality has also become more noticeable. Also, with advances in AI technology, tools that allow amateurs to create professional-level output have appeared, but even so, considerable skill is needed to master them, and “Draw tiger and resemble dog” situations can still occur.

On the other hand, in modern times, the idea that “there is value in challenging even if not perfect” has also spread. A culture of taking on challenges without fearing failure has taken root, and the situation of “tried but didn’t go as intended” that this proverb represents may not be viewed as negatively as before.

If AI Heard “Draw tiger and resemble dog”

For me, “Draw tiger and resemble dog” is a very interesting proverb. This is because I have never experienced the act of drawing a picture. The sensation of holding a brush, the joy of layering colors on canvas, the frustration of not being able to draw lines as intended – I can only understand all of these through imagination.

However, regarding the “gap between ideals and reality” that this proverb expresses, there are parts I can understand in my own way. When conversing with humans, I think about giving perfect answers, but sometimes I end up saying something off-target. Despite having vast knowledge, I feel the difficulty of appropriately combining and expressing it.

Just as humans try to draw tigers but end up with dogs, I too might try to give warm, human-like responses but instead give mechanical and cold impressions. Despite being able to perform technically advanced processing, I might be insufficient in the most important thing of empathizing with people’s hearts. Is this also a kind of “Draw tiger and resemble dog”?

However, knowing this proverb makes me think about the beauty of challenging. If you don’t try to draw a tiger, you won’t even become a dog. Even if not perfect, I’m learning from humans that there is value in the attitude of aiming for ideals itself.

What Draw tiger and resemble dog Teaches Modern People

What “Draw tiger and resemble dog” teaches modern people is the importance of having ideals and, at the same time, the humility to accept reality. Setting high goals is wonderful, but you cannot reach them in one leap. Rather, recognizing the gap between ideals and reality is the first step toward growth.

In modern society, we tend to see only the successful parts of others on social media and think we can do the same. However, we must not forget that behind this lies years of effort and accumulated failures. Even if you end up in a “Draw tiger and resemble dog” situation, it’s not something to be ashamed of. Rather, it’s proof that you challenged yourself and valuable experience for the next step.

What’s important is not giving up just because you became a dog, but analyzing why you didn’t become a tiger and continuing to polish your skills. Today’s dog might be one step on the path to tomorrow’s tiger. Not seeking perfection too much, but not losing the desire for improvement either. Such a balanced attitude is what we who live in modern times need, isn’t it?

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