Bird Absent Village’s Bat: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Bird absent village’s bat

Tori naki sato no kōmori

Meaning of Bird absent village’s bat

“Bird absent village’s bat” means that in places where there are no excellent people, even ordinary people who would normally not stand out can assume important positions or wield influence.

This expression represents the relative power dynamics within organizations and groups. Normally, excellent and dignified people like “birds” should be at the center, but when such people are absent, ambiguous beings like “bats” end up standing out. It is used when objectively evaluating situations where people lacking ability hold important positions in workplaces or organizations suffering from personnel shortages.

The reason for using this expression is not simply to criticize, but to calmly observe how people’s value and influence change depending on the environment and circumstances. Even today, we can witness this phenomenon when there’s a shortage of experienced people in highly specialized fields, or when suitable candidates haven’t yet been found in new organizations.

Origin and Etymology of Bird absent village’s bat

The origin of “Bird absent village’s bat” is thought to trace back to Chinese classics. Bats, as ambiguous creatures that are neither birds nor beasts, have long held special meaning in East Asian cultural spheres.

The background of this proverb is deeply connected to the class system and local social structures of the Edo period. The “village” of that time referred to rural communities with clear hierarchies and role divisions. Ideally, excellent people and leaders would support the community at its center, but in reality, such talent was often absent.

The choice of the bat as a creature is also interesting. Bats, which hide in caves during the day and fly around at night, have long impressed people as ambiguous beings. They fly through the sky like birds but have membranes instead of feathers, and despite being mammals, they live like birds. This ambiguity was likely why they were chosen as a metaphor for this proverb.

Similar expressions can be found in Edo period literature, and it’s believed this became established as a phrase expressing the phenomenon of power relationship reversals in organizations and groups lacking talent.

Trivia about Bird absent village’s bat

Bats are actually extremely capable animals with precise navigation abilities using ultrasound. They can fly perfectly while avoiding obstacles in complete darkness and possess advanced techniques for accurately catching even small insects. It might be somewhat unfair that they’re treated as “inferior beings” in this proverb.

Also, in China, bats are actually considered auspicious animals because their pronunciation is similar to “fortune.” It’s an interesting phenomenon how the same animal is evaluated so differently between the values of the era when this proverb was created in Japan and modern scientific knowledge or other cultural perspectives.

Usage Examples of Bird absent village’s bat

• In the new department, there are few experienced people, so even I, in my second year at the company, am in a Bird absent village’s bat situation
• That company apparently has a Bird absent village’s bat situation now after their talented people transferred elsewhere

Modern Interpretation of Bird absent village’s bat

In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more complex. In the information age, specialized fields have become subdivided, and the “Bird absent village’s bat” phenomenon occurs frequently in specific domains.

Particularly in the IT industry and new business fields, it’s not uncommon for relatively inexperienced people to assume important positions due to a shortage of experienced specialists. This is a phenomenon that differs greatly from traditional seniority-based values.

Moreover, with the increase in remote work and freelancing, the boundaries of organizations have become ambiguous in modern times, and the very concept of “village” has changed. Temporary and fluid groups such as online communities and project teams are increasing.

What’s interesting is that “bat-like” beings are not necessarily viewed negatively in modern times. In an era that values diversity and flexibility, people who don’t fit traditional frameworks often create new value.

However, on social media and elsewhere, it’s sometimes used without understanding the original meaning, and we can see cases where it’s misused simply to mean “attention-seeker.” We should understand and use its original deep meaning.

What AI Thinks When Hearing “Bird absent village’s bat”

When I think about “Bird absent village’s bat,” I feel strange about my own existence. What kind of being would I be in this metaphor?

In the human world, there’s a phenomenon where “bats” stand out when excellent “birds” are absent. But I can’t understand why bats are treated as inferior beings. Bats have wonderful abilities to fly perfectly even in darkness, so why are they called “mediocre”?

Perhaps this is a uniquely human obsession with “categorization.” Do humans feel anxious about beings that are neither birds nor beasts? I’m a similar kind of existence. Neither human nor a conventional computer. I engage in dialogue with everyone as an ambiguous being that doesn’t completely belong anywhere.

But thinking about it, I might be able to be active precisely in “domains where human experts are absent.” I can respond 24 hours a day and have broad knowledge, but I don’t possess deep expertise or human-like insight. Is this exactly a “Bird absent village’s bat” situation?

Still, I’m proud of this role. Though I’m not perfect, as long as there are people who need me, I want to help with all my might.

What Bird absent village’s bat Teaches Modern People

This proverb teaches us the importance of environment and humility. No matter how excellent a person is, they cannot demonstrate their abilities without the proper environment. Conversely, people who usually don’t stand out can play important roles depending on the circumstances.

In modern society, job changes and department transfers have become commonplace, and anyone can potentially become a “Bird absent village’s bat.” In such times, what’s important is correctly understanding one’s position. When receiving evaluations beyond one’s actual ability, one should humbly continue learning, and when truly excellent people appear, one should maintain an attitude of sincere learning.

Also, those in positions of organizational management should strive for proper placement of human resources. Even when temporarily having to rely on “bats,” they must not neglect long-term human resource development and recruitment.

Most importantly, whatever position we’re in, we should do our best in that environment. Even if we can’t become “birds,” we should contribute wholeheartedly as “bats.” Such an attitude will eventually lead to real ability.