身だしなみ — Fashion Is for You, Grooming Is for Others
2026-10-20
身だしなみ — Fashion Is for You, Grooming Is for Others
There is an English saying: “You cannot judge a book by its cover.”
There is an English saying: “You cannot judge a book by its cover.”
That may be good advice, but in reality, people often do.
In Japanese, we have the word 身だしなみ (midashinami). It refers to keeping yourself neat and appropriately dressed for the situation.
There is a simple way to explain the idea:
おしゃれは自分のため、身だしなみは相手のため。
Fashion is for yourself. Midashinami is for others.
Fashion is for yourself. Midashinami is for others.
Fashion is about expressing your personality and wearing what makes you feel good. Midashinami is different. It is about considering how your appearance makes other people feel.
Are your clothes clean? Is your hair neat? Are you dressed appropriately for the place, occasion, and people you are meeting?
In this sense, appearance is not just about appearance. It is a form of communication and consideration.
Of course, we should not judge people only by how they look. Character, ability, and actions matter much more.
But before people know your character, they see you.
身だしなみ is not about showing off. It is about showing respect.
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.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
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.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..