"KOTOWAZA" - "The Japanese Wisdom,Values and Morals"

"KOTOWAZA"

Kon'nichiwa 🙏👋😊🤗  my dear reader 

As per my curiosity towards knowing positive aspects of different cultures, I keep on seeking and learning. I am so inquisitive to know and learn various life ascending principles from different cultures. While browsing through the net I stumbled upon a Japanese term "KOTOWAZA". 

Koto refers to thing/matter while Waza (technique) to denote word skill. So Kotowaza is the term for collection of Japanese proverbs which are traditional often multi-generational phrases convey wisdom, moral lessons and provide life tools to face the truth. They are crucial for understanding Japanese cultural values like group harmony, perseverance, and humility. Learning kotowaza is considered an effective way to improve Japanese language proficiency while gaining deeper insight into the traditional Japanese mindset. 

Definition: These are short, memorable expressions that provide advice or describe life truths.

Cultural Focus: Often emphasize patience (e.g., Ishi no ue ni mo san-nen — three years on a stone), nature, and modesty.

Origins: Many are rooted in ancient Japanese, Chinese literature, or Buddhist teachings.

Examples of Common Kotowaza:

a) Ishi no ue ni mo san-nen :

 "Even on a rock, three years" – Emphasizes that perseverance pays off.

b) Nana korobi ya oki :

"Fall down seven times, get up eight" – Highlights resilience.

c) Hana yori dango :

 "Dumplings rather than flowers" – Preferring substance over style.

d) I no naka no kawazu taikai shirazu :

 "A frog in a well does not know the great sea" – Refers to having a narrow perspective. 

Out of all these I found this one quite motivating "NANA KOROBI YA OKI".

The phrase for the above Japanese proverb is "FALL DOWN SEVEN TIMES, STAND UP EIGHT" 

Here I am quite influenced by the rich Japanese culture. They effectively present the resilience, the strength, and the courage needed to rebuild after every storm. It's a complete refusal to give up.

Meaning of this phrase:

This is a famous Japanese proverb which means whatever the circumstances you face you need to be courageous enough to finally stand up whenever you fall.

In this post I am trying to pour some courage into you to make you stand up even after how hard you may have fallen.

Life throws you down in many ways but you have to collect yourself again and again to rise and stand tall.

To keep moving ahead you need to fuel your mind, body and soul with positive motivational energy and qualities like being courageous, resilient, diligent, go getter, brave, down to Earth, strong yet gentle, focused and grounded. 

The phrase emphasizes that even after many failures one has to gather the strength to recover and continue forward.

This phrase is about being brave and being brave doesn't mean zero fear. It means in spite of so many inside fears you still find courage to take action and overcome all the adversities to rise above the ground again and again until you stand tall.

Symbolism : 

It is often associated with the Daruma Doll, a symbol of perseverance in Japan. The doll is so designed to always return to an upright position when knocked over.

Cultural context :

This saying is deeply rooted in Japanese Culture, frequently applied to education, sports and business to encourage students, sportspersons and businessmen to be relentless and determined in their respective fields.

Why "Eight" ? 

You must be thinking why "Eight" ? When one falls down seven times then how it's possible to get up eight times 😄. So dear, this eighth action represents the necessary, additional effort to rise above the challenges.

May this post have inspired you to delve deeper into the richness of Japanese culture, as revealed through these thought-provoking Kotowaza especially "NANA KOROBI YA OKI". So next time when you fall remember my post that you have to get up "Eight". 🤗

Sayōnara 🙏👋, ogenkide😊

Do share this post with your family and friends 😊