Nana Korobi Ya Oki and En: Two Japanese Words Worth Wearing
Some Japanese words carry a whole outlook on life in just a few characters. Two of our favorites are 七転び八起き (nana korobi ya oki) and 縁 (en). One is about getting back up. The other is about the people who help you do it. This article explains what each one means, how they are used in Japan today, and a few things worth knowing before you wear Japanese words on your clothes.
七転び八起き: fall seven times, stand up eight
Reading it character by character
The proverb is made of four parts:
- 七 (nana): seven
- 転び (korobi): falling down, tumbling
- 八 (ya): eight
- 起き (oki): getting up, rising
Put together, it means "fall seven times, get up eight." It is usually written 七転び八起き and read nana korobi ya oki. In everyday speech you will also hear nanakorobi yaoki run together as one word.
Why eight and not seven?
People often point out that if you fall seven times, you only need to get up seven times. There are a few friendly explanations. One is that the first "getting up" happens before any fall, when you first stand up and start. Another is simply that the extra one is the point: however many times you are knocked down, you rise one more time than that. In Japanese, numbers like seven and eight in sayings often mean "many," so the proverb is less about counting and more about never stopping.
How it is used
Nana korobi ya oki is a common proverb in Japan. You might see it in a calligraphy scroll at a school or dojo, hear it in a speech to graduating students, or read it in a message to a friend going through a hard time. It describes resilience: life will knock you down, and you get back up.
It is closely connected with the daruma doll, a round red figure with a weighted base. Push a daruma over and it rolls back upright. Self righting toys of this kind are called okiagari koboshi, and daruma dolls are often sold with the phrase nana korobi ya oki as a symbol of perseverance.
Our Nana Korobi Ya Oki sweatshirt in navy or black and the sand or white version print the proverb in large vertical lettering, with the reading and the English meaning underneath so the words are clear to anyone who asks.
縁: the ties that bring us together
What en means
縁 (en) is harder to translate in one word. It refers to the connection between people, or between a person and a place or a thing, especially a connection that feels like it was meant to happen. Meeting someone by chance and becoming close friends is en. Finding a job, a home or a partner through a series of small coincidences is en.
The idea has roots in Buddhism, where things come into being through causes and conditions. In modern Japanese it is used far more casually. People say go en ga aru (there is a connection) or kore mo nanika no en (this too must be some kind of fate) when they meet someone unexpectedly. Thanking someone for their go en is a polite way to say you value the relationship.
En in everyday life
You will find en in many familiar places in Japan:
- Five yen coins at shrines. The word for a five yen coin, go en, sounds the same as go en (an honorable connection). Many people toss a five yen coin as an offering when they pray, as a small wish for good connections.
- En musubi. Literally "tying en," this phrase describes forming bonds, particularly in love and marriage. Some shrines are especially known for en musubi, and visitors pray there for good relationships.
- Greetings and letters. Business cards, wedding speeches and New Year cards often mention en as a way of honoring how people came to know each other.
Our 縁 (en) kanji tote bag shows the character in sumi black with a band of linked shippo rings, a traditional pattern of endlessly connected circles that also stands for harmony and lasting bonds. It works as a gift for a friend you are glad you met.
Why these two belong together
Nana korobi ya oki is about personal strength. En is about connection. In practice, the two meet: when people talk about how they got back up after a hard time, they usually mention someone who helped. A good word on the day you need it is one way en shows up.
Wearing Japanese words: a few honest tips
Kanji clothing is popular, and it can go wrong. A few suggestions, whether you buy from us or anyone else:
- Know the meaning. Look for products that state the reading and translation. Each of our kanji designs comes with the meaning in the description, and some designs print it on the item.
- Pick words people actually use. Proverbs and common words like these read naturally to Japanese speakers. Random characters chosen for their look can read as nonsense.
- Enjoy the conversation. People will ask what the words mean. That is part of the fun.
Explore more
Browse more designs with Japanese words and patterns in our Japanese Goods collection, or see pattern designs in the Wagara collection.
Our pieces are inspired by traditional Japanese patterns and sayings. Designed in Tokyo by Mojinami. Printed on demand by our print partner.