Proverb / Kotowaza
針の筵
A situation where one feels extreme discomfort or mental pain due to their surroundings.
A straw mat of needles
Quick Answer
A situation where one feels extreme discomfort or mental pain due to their surroundings.
- Literal Image
- A straw mat of needles
- Closest Equivalent
- A bed of thorns
- How to Use It
- Used to describe feeling out of place or under intense pressure, such as being at a meeting where you are receiving heavy criticism.
Meaning
This expression describes being in a position that is very difficult to endure, much like sitting on a straw mat with needles pointing upward. It refers to situations where someone feels intense pressure, embarrassment, or awkwardness, due to the scrutiny or criticism of others.
Literal Image
A straw mat of needles
Equivalent Proverbs
A bed of thorns
A similar image of sharp objects representing a painful or difficult situation.
How to Use It
Used to describe feeling out of place or under intense pressure, such as being at a meeting where you are receiving heavy criticism.
Tone
Carries a sense of extreme psychological distress or social discomfort.
Examples
批判が続く会議の席は針の筵に座っているようで、早く終わってほしかった。
The meeting, where the criticism never stopped, felt like sitting on a mat of needles, and I just wanted it to be over.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
While the metaphor is clear, the vocabulary includes 'mushiro' (straw mat), which is not used in modern daily conversation.
針
はり / hari
needle
筵
むしろ / mushiro
straw mat
Usage Profile
Usage note: This is a strong expression of distress; use it when the discomfort is significant.
Misread Risk
Do not use this for minor inconveniences; it implies a situation that is truly painful to endure.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
The expression is derived from an imaginary torture device made of a straw mat (mushiro) with needles standing up. It is used as a hyperbolic way to describe a very painful or uncomfortable situation.
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.