奢り — Arrogance Born from Success
2026-10-25
奢り — Arrogance Born from Success
There is a Japanese word, 奢り (ogori).
There is a Japanese word, 奢り (ogori).
In this context, it means arrogance or overconfidence that comes from success, power, wealth, or position.
There is an old Japanese saying:
実るほど頭を垂れる稲穂かな
The more the rice ripens, the lower it bows its head.
The more the rice ripens, the lower it bows its head.
When rice is young and empty, it stands straight and tall. As the grain develops and becomes heavier, the head of the plant bends downward.
It is a simple image with an important lesson.
The more successful you become, the more humble you should become.
Unfortunately, success can create the opposite effect. We begin to believe our success came entirely from our own ability. We stop listening to others. We become convinced that we are always right.
That is 奢り — ogori.
Failure often forces us to question ourselves. Success can make us stop questioning ourselves. That is why success can sometimes be more dangerous than failure, especially for leaders.
A good leader should be like a ripening stalk of rice.
The more you achieve, the lower you bow.
The more you know, the more you listen.
The more you know, the more you listen.
An empty stalk stands tall.
A full one bows its head.
That is Japanese Wisdom.
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.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..