Culture · Kotowaza (ことわざ)

犬も歩けば棒に当たる — "Even a dog, if it walks, will bump into a pole" (Action leads to unexpected outcomes / Good or bad luck)

Kotowaza are short traditional sayings that carry a piece of Japanese wisdom. Here are thirty-two, grouped by theme — each with its reading, meaning, and a small animation to help it stick.