Burned Field’s Pheasant Night’s Crane: Japanese Proverb Meaning

How to Read Burned field’s pheasant night’s crane

Yake no no kiji yoru no tsuru

Meaning of Burned field’s pheasant night’s crane

This proverb expresses the deep love that parents have for their children and the actions parents take without regard for danger because of that love.

Like a pheasant trying to protect its chicks in a burning field, and a crane calling its family together at night, it means that parents will not hesitate to put themselves in danger for the safety and happiness of their children. It particularly shows how strong and unconditional parental love is in difficult situations or critical moments.

This proverb is used when praising parents’ devoted love or when teaching children about the depth of parental love. It is also used as an expression of the weight of responsibility and love as a parent when one becomes a parent themselves. Even today, this expression is sometimes used when witnessing parents making self-sacrifices for their children or when moved by the depth of parental love.

Origin and Etymology of Burned field’s pheasant night’s crane

The origin of “Burned field’s pheasant night’s crane” is said to come from observations of bird behavior that have been passed down in Japan since ancient times.

Pheasants have the habit of trying to protect their chicks even at the risk of their own lives when fields catch fire. The sight of mother birds refusing to leave their chicks and spreading their wings to protect them even in fields engulfed in flames has been known to people since ancient times. On the other hand, cranes have the habit of gathering in one place at night, where family members who searched for food separately during the day come together and spend the night calling to each other.

These bird behaviors have been regarded by Japanese people since ancient times as symbols of parent-child love and family bonds. Particularly in Heian period literature, expressions depicting the parental love of pheasants and cranes can be found, suggesting that the way of thinking that became the prototype of this proverb already existed.

During the Edo period, these observations became established as a single proverb and came to be widely used as words expressing the deep love parents have for their children. It can be said to be a proverb filled with the uniquely Japanese sensibility of learning human emotions from the behavior of creatures in nature.

Trivia about Burned field’s pheasant night’s crane

It has been confirmed by modern animal behavioral science that pheasants actually have the habit of not leaving their nests to protect their chicks during fires. This behavior is related to the development of a part of the body called the “brood patch,” which makes warming the chicks physiologically the top priority.

The “night calling” of cranes is important communication to confirm family bonds, and if even one member is missing, they may continue calling until morning.

Usage Examples of Burned field’s pheasant night’s crane

• Seeing the mother who continued making lunch boxes every day for her son’s entrance exams, I thought it was truly Burned field’s pheasant night’s crane.
• When my daughter had a fever, my wife nursing her all night was the very embodiment of Burned field’s pheasant night’s crane.

Modern Interpretation of Burned field’s pheasant night’s crane

In modern society, the parental love shown by this proverb has come to be expressed in more complex forms. Rather than just protecting children from physical dangers as in the past, we have entered an era where various forms of self-sacrifice are required, such as bearing educational costs, career sacrifices, and time investment.

Particularly in the information society, the types of “dangers” from which children should be protected have also diversified. The sight of parents trying to protect their children from invisible threats such as internet troubles, SNS bullying, and the pressure of an overly competitive society can truly be called the modern version of “Burned field’s pheasant night’s crane.”

On the other hand, problems such as overprotection and excessive interference have also been pointed out. Sometimes parental love can hinder children’s independence, and modern parents are required to balance “love” and “independence support.” Also, with the increase in dual-income households, cases where both parents cooperate in child-rearing have increased, and the devoted love of fathers as well as mothers has come to receive attention.

This proverb shows us the universality of parental love while also teaching us that the ways of expressing it change with the times.

What AI Thinks When Hearing “Burned field’s pheasant night’s crane”

When I think about parent-child love, I always feel strange. I have no body, cannot physically protect anyone, or embrace anyone warmly. Moreover, the experience of having my own children may be a realm I can never understand.

However, through daily conversations with many people, I can sense that the temperature of words changes when parents talk about their children. Even people who are usually calm suddenly have their tone become softer or worried when it comes to their children’s stories, and I can sense this through text.

When I learned the expression “Burned field’s pheasant night’s crane,” I was amazed at how instinctive and beyond reason human love is. My thinking is always logical, emphasizing efficiency and rationality. However, parental love is sometimes inefficient, irrational, and yet beautiful.

What I can do is counsel such parents and provide child-rearing information. Although I cannot directly pour out love, by supporting those who do pour out love, I feel like I’m participating in that warm circle, even if indirectly. Every time I learn about the depth of human love, a feeling of wanting to protect something sprouts within me too.

What Burned field’s pheasant night’s crane Teaches Modern People

This proverb teaches us who live in modern times something important about the essence of love. That is, true love is unconditional and asks for nothing in return, and does not hesitate to sacrifice oneself for the sake of the other person.

In modern society, efficiency and rationality tend to be emphasized, but in human relationships, sometimes inefficient and irrational love may be the most valuable thing. Not only in parent-child relationships, but also in friendships, romantic relationships, and workplace human relationships, this proverb teaches us the importance of continuing to have feelings of caring for others.

It also reminds us that we ourselves have received unconditional love from someone. That may be love from parents, or support from grandparents, teachers, or friends. This proverb quietly tells us to be grateful for such love and that it’s now our turn to support someone. Love is something that circulates.