Nana korobi ya oki (七転び八起き)

NTT image by Kevin

Nihon no kotowaza “Nana korobi, ya oki” wa, ningen no keiken ni fukaku kyoumei suru kyouryoku na tetsugaku o houkatsu shiteimasu. (Please bear with my Nihongo. It’s been so long since I’ve spoken it.) Translated as “Fall down seven times, stand up eight,” it’s not just a string of words but a testament to resilience, determination, and the indomitable spirit.

Picture this: You’re walking along a winding path, full of obstacles and unexpected twists. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you stumble and fall. It’s not a matter of if but when. Life has this uncanny ability to throw curveballs when you least expect them. But here’s the catch—falling isn’t the end of the journey; it’s just a temporary setback.

In those moments of falling—physically, emotionally, or spiritually—the essence of resilience comes into play. It’s about summoning the inner strength to rise again, to dust off the dirt, and to keep moving forward. Each fall offers a lesson, a chance to grow, to adapt, and to become stronger than before.

Think about a toddler learning to walk. They stumble, they fall countless times, but do they give up? No. They keep trying, driven by an innate desire to stand on their own two feet. That’s the essence of “Nana korobi, ya oki” in action—a reminder that the journey to success is often paved with setbacks and failures, but it’s the willingness to persevere that ultimately leads to triumph.

In a world that often glorifies success and achievement, it’s easy to overlook the importance of resilience—the ability to bounce back from adversity. We live in a society that values quick fixes and instant gratification, but true growth and fulfillment come from facing challenges head-on and refusing to stay down when life knocks us off our feet.

The Japanese culture deeply understands this concept of resilience. It’s ingrained in their collective psyche, reflected not just in proverbs but also in their history, art, and daily practices. From the samurai’s unwavering resolve to the resilience of communities rebuilding after natural disasters, the spirit of “Nana korobi, ya oki” permeates every aspect of Japanese life.

But resilience isn’t just a Japanese virtue—it’s a universal one. It transcends borders, cultures, and languages because, at its core, it speaks to the fundamental human experience of facing adversity and overcoming it. We all have our own battles to fight, our own mountains to climb, but the one thing that unites us is the choice to keep going, to keep standing up no matter how many times we fall.

So, the next time life knocks you down—and it will—remember the wisdom of “Nana korobi, ya oki.” Embrace the falls as opportunities for growth, and with each rise, reaffirm your commitment to resilience. Because in the end, it’s not about how many times you fall but how many times you choose to stand up again.