Proverb / Kotowaza
武陵桃源
A peaceful and beautiful utopia or paradise isolated from the troubles of the ordinary world.
The peach blossom spring of Wuling
Quick Answer
A peaceful and beautiful utopia or paradise isolated from the troubles of the ordinary world.
- Literal Image
- The peach blossom spring of Wuling
- How to Use It
- Used to describe a peaceful, beautiful place or a lifestyle that feels like an escape from the busy, modern world.
Meaning
A hidden paradise or 'earthly paradise' where people live in peace, away from the noise and conflicts of everyday society. The term describes an ideal land characterized by natural beauty and tranquility, can be used to refer to places that provide a sense of escape from worldly cares.
Literal Image
The peach blossom spring of Wuling
How to Use It
Used to describe a peaceful, beautiful place or a lifestyle that feels like an escape from the busy, modern world.
Tone
Literary and highly descriptive; can be used in a reflective or admiring way.
Examples
喧騒を離れた山奥の温泉地は、まるで武陵桃源のようだった。
The hot spring resort deep in the mountains, away from the noise, was just like a hidden paradise.
武陵桃源のような暮らしに憧れるが、現実はそう甘くない。
I long for a life like a peaceful utopia, but reality is not so easy.
都会の喧騒を忘れられるこの場所は、私にとっての武陵桃源だ。
This place where I can forget the city's hustle and bustle is a hidden paradise for me.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
This is a four-character compound (yojijukugo) consisting of formal kanji and literary references.
武陵
ぶりょう / buryou
Wuling (a place name in ancient China)
桃源
とうげん / tougen
source of peach blossoms; utopia
喧騒
けんそう / kensou
tumult; hustle and bustle
別天地
べってんち / bettenchi
another world; a world apart
Usage Profile
Usage note: Mainly used for places or states of mind that offer escape; not for practical urban planning.
Misread Risk
Ensure you use it to describe a peaceful escape; it does not refer to literal peach farming.
Search As
Related Proverbs
Origin
Derived from the work 'Touka-genki' (The Peach Blossom Spring) by the Eastern Jin poet Tao Yuanming. The story tells of a fisherman from Wuling who traveled upstream and discovered a forest filled with peach blossoms. Beyond the forest, he found a hidden village where people lived in peace, unaware of the wars and conflicts of the outside world. This story became the basis for the term meaning a peaceful paradise separate from society.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
Tags
Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.