The Code of Conversation If you listen closely to a conversation between Japanese people, you might hear them drop short, poetic phrases that don’t seem to make literal sense. They might suddenly talk about monkeys, nails, or dumplings. These are “Kotowaza”—traditional Japanese proverbs. Bite-Sized Wisdom Kotowaza are deeply ingrained in the culture. They are bite-sized pieces of ancient wisdom, morals, and life lessons passed down through generations. Instead of lecturing someone, Japanese people use these short phrases to elegantly convey complex emotions or advice. Monkeys and Trees For example, if a highly skilled professional makes a silly mistake, someone might…
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