Culture · Kotowaza (ことわざ)

蒔かぬ種は生えぬ — "A seed that is not sown will not sprout" (No pain, no gain / You reap what you sow)

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.