How to Read “鵜の真似をする烏”
U no mane wo suru karasu
Meaning of “鵜の真似をする烏”
“Cormorant’s imitation doing crow” is a proverb that warns against the foolishness of recklessly imitating others’ actions without considering one’s own abilities or characteristics.
This proverb is used as a warning to people who try to imitate the superficial actions of successful people in things that don’t suit them or are beyond their capabilities. Cormorants are skilled at catching fish underwater, but it’s obvious that if a crow tried to do the same thing, it would fail. Similarly, in human society, when people see others’ success and try to imitate it carelessly, they often ignore differences in their own aptitude, abilities, and circumstances, ultimately leading to failure.
It’s particularly used when someone imitates only superficial actions or methods without understanding the underlying effort, talent, or environmental differences. It teaches us the danger of imitating only the visible parts while forgetting that successful people have invisible preparation and unique abilities. This is a very practical lesson.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb is thought to come from the ecological differences between two types of birds: cormorants and crows. Cormorants are waterbirds skilled at diving underwater to catch fish, and with their long necks and specialized body structure, they can skillfully capture fish. On the other hand, crows are land birds with bodies completely unsuited for underwater hunting.
Japanese people have long observed the characteristics of these birds carefully. As evidenced by the existence of ukai, a traditional fishing method using cormorants, the cormorant’s fish-catching ability was well known to people. What would happen if a crow saw such cormorants and tried to imitate them? Crows cannot dive into water or catch fish. Moreover, if they entered the water, they would even risk drowning.
From such natural observations, this proverb was born to express “the foolishness of imitating others without considering one’s own abilities.” Since it appears in Edo period literature, it’s presumed to be a proverb that has been used for quite a long time. It’s an expression that embodies the Japanese people’s keen natural observation skills and the wisdom to derive lessons for human behavior from nature.
Interesting Facts
Cormorants actually have a special habit of temporarily storing fish in their throats after catching them before swallowing. In cormorant fishing, this habit is utilized by tying a string around the cormorant’s neck to make them regurgitate large fish.
Crows are actually known as highly intelligent birds with the ability to use tools and remember human faces. Ironically, while this proverb depicts them as “birds that foolishly imitate,” real crows are actually wise birds that understand their own abilities well.
Usage Examples
- He quit his job imitating a famous entrepreneur, but it was truly like Cormorant’s imitation doing crow
- I invested a large sum after hearing investment success stories, but ended up being Cormorant’s imitation doing crow
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has become more complex and important. With the spread of social media, successful people’s lifestyles and work methods have become easily visible. More people are imitating influencers’ morning routines or directly adopting famous executives’ working styles. However, without understanding the differences in background environment, abilities, and resources, superficial imitation often fails to produce expected results.
Particularly in the business world, while learning from success stories is important, directly implementing other companies’ methods while ignoring one’s own company’s scale, industry, and cultural background tends to become “Cormorant’s imitation doing crow.” When large corporations imitate startup success stories, organizational flexibility and decision-making speed are completely different, so things often don’t work out well.
On the other hand, modern times also emphasize “learning ability” and “adaptability.” Rather than complete imitation, the ability to learn from others’ success and arrange it to fit one’s own situation is required. This proverb, as a warning against blind imitation, remains sufficiently relevant wisdom today.
Also, in modern times where information overflows, the discernment to choose which success stories to reference has become important. Objectively assessing one’s own abilities and environment and choosing appropriate role models can be said to be the way to apply this proverb’s teachings to modern times.
When AI Hears This
The endless stream of people who completely copy popular influencers’ posting styles on social media only to face backlash is a perfect modern example of “a crow trying to imitate a cormorant.” According to psychology’s “social learning theory,” people observe and mimic successful individuals’ behaviors to gain rewards, but there’s a major pitfall here.
When an influencer with millions of followers makes a light joke, they get praised as “hilarious!” But when an ordinary person says the exact same thing, they’re labeled as “cringe.” This is a textbook example of what psychology calls the “halo effect” – existing trust and status decisively influence how statements are received.
Particularly dangerous is mimicking “luxury bragging” or “pseudo-intellectual posts.” When an influencer earning $200,000 a year posts a photo at an upscale restaurant with “investing in myself again today,” it gets “amazing!” reactions. But when a regular office worker does the same thing, they’re criticized for being “above their station.”
Today’s social media is more brutal than the Edo period – failed “crows” have their mistakes instantly spread and permanently preserved as digital tattoos. The act of mimicking others driven by the need for validation creates not just identity loss, but the far more serious risk of social credibility destruction.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us modern people is “the courage to value being yourself.” When we see others’ success, we tend to think we can succeed too by doing the same thing, but what’s truly important is understanding our own strengths and characteristics and finding ways to utilize them.
You have wonderful abilities that are uniquely yours. They are your own, different from anyone else’s. There’s no need to feel inferior by comparing yourself to others. While cormorants are good at catching fish underwater, crows have their own specialties. Crows have abilities unique to them, such as high intelligence, excellent observation skills, and adaptability to environments.
In modern society, diversity is valued. Rather than uniform success models, each individual is required to demonstrate their abilities in their own way. Instead of imitating others, we learn from others and arrange and utilize that learning in our own way. This is precisely the modern wisdom that this proverb teaches us.
Please walk your own path steadily while cherishing your individuality. That is the most reliable and most beautiful path to success.
Comments