Proverb / Kotowaza
始めは処女の如く後は脱兎の如し
Start quietly and cautiously to put others off guard, then act with sudden speed once an opportunity arises.
At first like a maiden, afterwards like an escaping rabbit.
Quick Answer
Start quietly and cautiously to put others off guard, then act with sudden speed once an opportunity arises.
- Literal Image
- At first like a maiden, afterwards like an escaping rabbit.
- How to Use It
- Can be used when discussing business negotiations, sports tactics, or any competitive scenario where hiding one's intentions before a swift strike is advantageous.
Meaning
This proverb describes a strategic approach of maintaining a quiet, modest, and unassuming presence at the beginning of an undertaking. By doing so, one avoids alerting opponents or competitors to their strength. Once a gap or opportunity is identified, one must switch immediately to moving with the extreme speed of a rabbit escaping from a trap to achieve success.
Literal Image
At first like a maiden, afterwards like an escaping rabbit.
How to Use It
Can be used when discussing business negotiations, sports tactics, or any competitive scenario where hiding one's intentions before a swift strike is advantageous.
Tone
Strategic and instructional, carrying the weight of classical military wisdom.
Examples
交渉は始めは処女の如く後は脱兎の如し。最初は様子を見て、チャンスを得たら一気に攻める。
In negotiations, start like a maiden and finish like an escaping rabbit. First observe the situation, then strike all at once when you see a chance.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The proverb uses classical grammar (no gotoshi) and advanced vocabulary like 'shojo' (in its classical sense) and 'datto' (escaping rabbit).
始め
はじめ / hajime
beginning
処女
しょじょ / shojo
maiden (classically: modest/quiet state)
後
のち / nochi
afterwards
脱兎
だっと / datto
escaping rabbit
如し
ごとし / gotoshi
like; as
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a tactical proverb; using it in casual daily conversation might sound overly dramatic or intense.
Misread Risk
In this classical context, 'shojo' (maiden) is a metaphor for being quiet and still, not a literal comment on gender or social roles.
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Origin
This expression originates from the Chinese military treatise "The Art of War" (Sun Tzu). In the text, "shojo" (maiden) represents a state of being fresh, modest, and quiet to avoid detection by an enemy. "Datto" (escaping rabbit) refers specifically to a rabbit that has broken free from a trap, symbolizing the extreme speed required to exploit a sudden advantage.
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