Year of the Horse

Happy New Year!

According to the 12 year cycle of the zodiac animals, this is the year of the horse.

Here are some interesting Japanese sayings which involve horses:

馬の耳に念仏—Uma no mimi ni nenbutsu. “To say a nenbutsu prayer in a horse’s ear” means to say something that is not understood or totally ignored, just as horses do not comprehend the chanting of the name of Amida Buddha in this form of prayer.

が合う—Uma ga au. The expression that “the horse matches well” is used for when people get on well with each other, based on the idea of riders being a good fit with their steeds.

人間万事塞翁が馬—Ningen banji saiō ga uma. “For humans, everything is like the horse belonging to the old man at the fort.” This proverb expresses the idea that life is unpredictable, and it is impossible to predict both good and bad fortune. It is based on a story about an old man in ancient China who lived at a border fort. One day, his horse ran away, but later returned with another fine breed of horse. The man’s son rode on the new steed, but fell and broke his leg. However, this turned out to be lucky as it meant he was not called up for war.

生き馬の目を抜く—Ikiuma no me o nuku. “To pluck an eye from a live horse” means to profit by sharp practices that may be legally dubious.

下馬評—Gebahyō. In former times, wherever people got off their horses, such as at castle gates or temples, retainers and others waiting for their masters would gossip to each other. This “dismounting talk” is used for idle rumors from people who are not directly involved with particular matters.

尻馬に乗る—Shiriuma ni noru. This phrase, either “to ride on the back end of a horse behind someone else holding the reins” or “to follow the back end of the horse walking in front,” is used for following other people’s words or actions without thinking for oneself.

馬脚をあらわす—Bakyaku o arawasu. “To reveal one’s horse’s legs” is to show one’s true colors or shortcomings.