Lost in a Five-Li Fog — 五里霧中
2026-09-13
The Japanese expression gori muchū (五里霧中) literally means “in the middle of a five-li fog.” A li was an ancient Chinese unit of distance.
Lost in a Five-Li Fog — 五里霧中
The Japanese expression gori muchū (五里霧中) literally means “in the middle of a five-li fog.” A li was an ancient Chinese unit of distance.
The expression comes from an account in the Chinese Book of the Later Han. According to the story, a man named Zhang Kai could create a mysterious fog extending five li in every direction. Anyone caught inside it would lose all sense of direction.
In modern Japanese, 五里霧中 describes a situation in which we have no idea what is happening or what we should do next. We cannot see the answer, the destination, or even which direction to take.
Interestingly, although the expression originated in China, it is now far more familiar in Japan. It remains in Chinese dictionaries and classical literature, but it is rarely heard in everyday modern Chinese conversation.
Languages sometimes preserve history in unexpected places. Japan adopted many expressions from ancient China and continues to use some that have largely faded from modern Chinese speech.
Business can also feel like 五里霧中. We may not see the entire road ahead, but standing still will not clear the fog. Sometimes we must take one careful step and discover the path as we move forward.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..