Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Something is halfway and fits no purpose. This proverb describes things that are not quite right for anything.
日本語で読む
中途半端で、どちらの役にも立たないという意味。
Cultural Context:
An obi is the sash worn around a kimono; a tasuki is a cord used to tie back kimono sleeves for work or fighting.
日本語で読む
「帯」は着物の腰に巻く布、「襷」は仕事や戦いの時に着物の袖をたくし上げるひもです。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
短し and 長し are classical forms of 短い and 長い.
日本語で読む
「短し」「長し」は「短い」「長い」の古い形です。
Trap for English Speakers
It does not mean something is handy for both uses; it means it is useless for both.
日本語で読む
どちらにも使えて便利という意味ではなく、どちらにも使えないという意味です。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
この部屋、一人には広すぎるし、二人には狭い。帯に短し襷に長しだ。
This room is too big for one person but too small for two. Neither one thing nor the other.
Example 2Applied Example
拾った刀は脇差には長く、打刀には短かった。帯に短し襷に長しで、侍は困り果てた。
The sword he found was too long for a short sword and too short for a long one. Too short for a sash, too long for a sleeve cord — the samurai was at a loss.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「帯に短し襷に長し」 mean?