Proverb / Kotowaza
重箱の隅を楊枝で穿る
To scrutinize trivial details and nitpick over unimportant matters.
To pick at the corners of a tiered food box with a toothpick.
Quick Answer
To scrutinize trivial details and nitpick over unimportant matters.
- Literal Image
- To pick at the corners of a tiered food box with a toothpick.
- Closest Equivalent
- Split hairs.
- How to Use It
- Used to criticize someone who is being overly pedantic or focusing on minor flaws at the expense of the main issue.
Meaning
This proverb describes the act of persistently focusing on minor flaws or trivial details instead of looking at the big picture. It implies a sense of unnecessary interference and excessive pedantry. By digging into unimportant matters, one hinders productive progress and frustrates others.
Literal Image
To pick at the corners of a tiered food box with a toothpick.
Equivalent Proverbs
Split hairs.
How to Use It
Used to criticize someone who is being overly pedantic or focusing on minor flaws at the expense of the main issue.
Tone
Critical.
Examples
重箱の隅を楊枝で穿るような質問ばかりで、会議がまったく前に進まない。
The meeting isn't moving forward at all because of questions that are just picking at trivial details.
細かいミスを重箱の隅を楊枝で穿るように指摘されると、やる気を失う。
I lose my motivation when minor mistakes are pointed out to me like picking at the corners of a tiered box with a toothpick.
大局を見ずに重箱の隅を楊枝で穿るような議論をしていては、問題は解決しない。
The problem won't be solved if we argue over trivial details instead of looking at the big picture.
彼のプレゼンは内容が良かったのに、上司は「重箱の隅を楊枝でほじくる」ように些細な言葉遣いのミスを延々と指摘した。
Even though the content of his presentation was good, his boss endlessly pointed out trivial wording mistakes as if picking at the corners of a tiered box with a toothpick.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
While the individual words are somewhat recognizable, the verb 'hojikuru' and the highly specific metaphorical image of a tiered food box make the idiom an advanced expression.
重箱
じゅうばこ / jubako
tiered food box
隅
すみ / sumi
corner
楊枝
ようじ / yoji
toothpick
穿る
ほじくる / hojikuru
to pick at, to dig out
Usage Profile
Usage note: This expression is inherently critical and should not be used to praise someone's positive attention to detail.
Misread Risk
Do not use this to describe someone who is carefully paying attention to important details in a positive way; it specifically targets unnecessary and annoying nitpicking.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
It originates from the image of using a toothpick to intentionally dig out the small bits of food that easily get stuck in the four corners of a tiered food box (jubako). This illustrates persistently seeking out minor details, expressing an even more relentless form of nitpicking than the related expression jubako no sumi wo tsutsuku (to poke at the corner of a tiered box).
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