Nanakorobi yaoki (七転び八起き) is one of Japan’s most cherished proverbs, literally translating to ‘fall seven times, stand up eight.’ It serves as a philosophical cornerstone for resilience, emphasizing that failure is not a destination but a necessary precursor to success.
When I first moved to Japan, I was struck by the calm with which locals handled professional or personal setbacks. While in the West, failure is often treated as a source of deep shame, in Japan, there is a quiet, stoic acknowledgment of the struggle. Nanakorobi yaoki isn’t just a motivational poster—it is a lived experience embedded in the national consciousness.
The history of the phrase is deeply tied to the daruma doll, the round, bottom-weighted toy that always returns to an upright position no matter how many times you tip it over. It is a physical manifestation of this mental fortitude. In Japanese culture, it is common to gift a daruma to someone starting a new business or embarking on a difficult challenge. You paint one eye when you set your goal, and the other when you overcome the obstacles to achieve it.
“When a project goes sideways at work, my colleagues don’t dwell on the mistake. Instead, they shift to hansei (reflection). They say, ‘We fell seven times, so now we must ensure the eighth rise is the one that stays.’ It is a collective commitment to improvement rather than a search for a scapegoat.”
Common Mistakes Foreigners Make
One common mistake foreigners make is viewing this phrase as a directive to ‘keep trying the exact same way’ after failing. This ignores the nuance of hansei. Nanakorobi yaoki implies that you learn from each fall. If you fail seven times because you are repeating the same error, that is not resilience; that is stubbornness. The ‘rising’ must be informed by the experience of the fall.
Another misconception is that it suggests a ‘happy-go-lucky’ attitude. It is quite the opposite. It is a heavy, grounded, and often painful process of persistence. It requires the same dedication seen in concepts like Shou-ga-nai, where you accept the reality of the situation and immediately focus on the next logical step toward stability.
Slang and Modern Variations
While the proverb itself is timeless, younger generations often use variations to describe academic or gaming struggles. You might hear ‘nana-oki’ (a shortened version) used colloquially to mean ‘bouncing back’ from a bad grade or a rough patch in a relationship. In the hyper-competitive world of Japanese gaming, ‘nanakorobi’ is sometimes used ironically when a player is constantly being ‘knocked down’ by an opponent, only to eventually adapt and win the match.
Pro-tip: When discussing failure with a Japanese mentor, frame your persistence using the spirit of this phrase. Rather than saying ‘I will try again,’ try saying ‘I have fallen, but I am learning from this to ensure my next attempt is more stable.’ This shows you understand the cultural gravity of the phrase, which is a powerful way to build trust.
Whether you are navigating the complexities of Wa (Harmony) or trying to make your way in a Japanese office, remember that falling is part of the process. It is the eighth attempt that defines your character.
