Stone Proverbs No.3 : Tap the stone bridge before crossing. "Be extra cautious"
Among Japanese proverbs, few capture prudence as clearly as “tap the stone bridge before crossing.” It means verifying safety even when the bridge is solid — acting with extra care.
However, I am not fond of this proverb.
In today’s fast-moving world, tapping endlessly can keep you from taking even a single step. The age that prized slow certainty is over; what we need now is action over absolute confidence. While we keep tapping, the next wave has already passed.
For example, I ship stone lanterns weighing dozens of kilograms overseas by air. Each lantern is packaged by component to absorb shock. Most people would not try to fly stone goods; they would strap them to a pallet and send them by sea. But roads do not open if we only keep tapping. Those who safely package stone for air and tap into new shipping methods are the ones who create new markets and carry culture forward.
Yes, the proverb tells us to tap and be prudent. But tap too hard and you can damage the bridge itself. In our era, what we need is not immovable caution, but the flexibility to ride the current — even to move beyond stone.
Even if the bridge looks unstable, I will cross. That is how I carry stone to the world.
Bridge Specs
| Bridge Name | Megane Bridge (Meganebashi) |
|---|---|
| Location | Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan |
| Completion Year | 1634 (Edo period) |
| Material | Stone masonry — twin arch structure |
| Designer | Chinese monk Mokusho Nyodō (from Kofukuji Temple) |
| Cultural Status | National Important Cultural Property (since 1967) |
About the Ukiyo-e
| Title | Megane Bridge in Nagasaki |
|---|---|
| Artist | Utagawa Hiroshige II |
| Series | One Hundred Famous Views in the Provinces |
| Year | 1870s (early Meiji period) |
| Technique | Woodblock print (nishiki-e, multicolor) |
| Theme | The perfect circular reflection of the twin arches symbolizes harmony between nature and craftsmanship. |
Proverb Overview
| Proverb | Tap the stone bridge before crossing |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Be extra cautious; verify safety before proceeding |
| Origin | Appears in Edo-period instructional texts; the stone bridge symbolizes safety |
| Usage | “He always taps the stone bridge before crossing.” (very cautious) |
Notes & Supplement
- Kitagi Stone (Kitagi-ishi) is a granite from Kitagi Island, Kasaoka City, Okayama. It has been used for Nihonbashi and for stonework around the Imperial Palace.
- Nihonbashi in Chūō, Tokyo, has been the starting point of the Five Highways of Edo since the 17th century. The current stone bridge, completed in 1911 using Kitagi granite, symbolizes enduring strength—an unshakable bridge even when tapped.
- “Tap” signifies verification and vigilance, but in some eras it can turn into a symbol of stagnation.
- Today’s stonemasons and exporters keep challenging themselves to “move stone” safely and creatively.
This article is the third entry in the “Proverbs Related to Stone in Japan” series.
Last updated: October 6, 2025 (JST)