ブログ

“Inu mo Arukeba Bō ni Ataru” —
When Moving Leads to Both Trouble and Opportunity

“Inu mo Arukeba Bō ni Ataru.”
The phrase literally means, “Even a dog, if it walks around, will bump into a stick.”
It sounds like a gentle warning, and in its earliest use, that’s exactly what it was.

In the past, people understood this proverb as a reminder to stay cautious:
If you wander without purpose, you may invite trouble.
It reflects a familiar wish in Japanese life—
to avoid unnecessary conflict, to keep things calm,
and to let days unfold without unpleasant surprises.

But over time, something subtle—and rather charming—occurred.
The meaning began to shift.
Today, many people interpret the same proverb in a completely different way:

“If you take action, unexpected opportunities may appear.”

It is a quiet encouragement to move,
to try,
to take one small step forward.

Why would one proverb hold two opposing meanings?
Perhaps because both ways of thinking have always existed in Japan:
a careful desire to remain safe
and a hopeful belief that motion brings possibility.

And yet, these two meanings share the same foundation:
“Action has consequences.”
Movement stirs the world.
It creates encounters—
some troublesome,
some rewarding,
often a mixture of both.

Seen through the lens of the subtle texture of Japan,
this proverb invites us to notice the small atmospheres surrounding our choices:

• the timing of when we act,
• the tone of the moment,
• the quiet signals around us,
• and the delicate balance between caution and courage.

These are not dramatic lessons.
They come from everyday life—
the kind of wisdom shaped not by theory,
but by years of watching how situations unfold.

So when you next face a decision,
this little proverb may offer a simple invitation:

If you stay still, nothing begins.
But if you walk—
even a little—
something will surely meet you.

It may be a challenge.
It may be a chance.
It may be both.
And that is precisely what makes this proverb quietly meaningful.

What Is Iroha Karuta? —
A Gentle Introduction

If you spend a little time exploring Japanese culture,
you may come across something called Iroha Karuta.
It sounds playful—and in many ways, it is.
But behind its simple surface lies a quiet window
into how people in Japan once understood everyday life.

So, what exactly is it?

At its heart, Iroha Karuta is a card game.
On each card, you’ll find a short proverb or saying,
paired with a picture that helps children remember it.
Families have played it for generations,
especially during the New Year holidays.
It is light, familiar, and charming.

Yet the more you look at it,
the more you notice something interesting.

Each proverb reflects a slice of everyday wisdom—
the kind of knowledge that doesn’t come from books,
but from watching how people live,
how they speak,
and how they make sense of small moments.

Some sayings warn,
some encourage,
some tease,
and some quietly comfort.
Taken together, they form a map of values and sensitivities
that shaped Japanese life for centuries.

And while the cards were made for children,
the lessons are anything but childish.

They reveal a world where:

• small gestures matter,
• timing carries meaning,
• caution and courage sit side by side,
• and daily life is full of subtle textures
  that guide how people think and act.

In this series,
we will take a closer look at several of these proverbs—
not only to understand their original meanings,
but also to see how those meanings have shifted over time.

Some sayings now carry two interpretations,
sometimes even opposite ones.
This, too, is part of Japan’s cultural texture:
a flexibility of meaning,
a willingness to read situations gently
rather than by strict rules.

My hope is simple.
If you learn these proverbs one by one,
you may begin to sense how people in Japan
have related to uncertainty, chance, effort,
and the quiet drama of everyday life.

So, let us begin—
with the first card,
and the first small lesson it offers.