Japanese meaning of 灯台下暗し

Meaning:

We often overlook things that are right in front of us. This proverb literally says “it’s dark under the lighthouse,” meaning that the places or answers closest to us are the ones we’re least likely to notice. It encourages self-reflection and looking carefully at our surroundings.

Cultural Context:

Highlights a tendency in Japanese culture to be self-reflective and notice overlooked things.

身近なことほど見落としやすいという教えです。灯台の真下が意外と暗いように、自分の身近なところや当然だと思っていることにこそ気づきを持つべきだと説いています。
自分自身や身近なものを振り返る習慣の大切さを示すことわざです。