“Is It Like a Ripening Ear of Rice?” This proverb compares the humble bow of a rice ear, weighted down by its own maturity, to the idea that “as one’s knowledge and skills deepen, one becomes more humble towards others.”
During his youth, both of his parents worked, and often on their way home from school, they would stop by his grandparents’ house near their home. It was during one of these visits that his grandfather shared these words with him.
Reflecting back, he recalls thinking, “If you’re truly great, you’re supposed to act authoritative, while those who aren’t great are meant to bow their heads low.” This interpretation of the proverb struck him as contradictory and puzzling.
Now with more life experience, he wishes to explore and share his deeper understanding of what this proverb truly signifies.
Words from a senior who changed me
“I can’t see Oda at all. The resolution of his photos is low.”
In my late twenties, shortly after I embarked on my career as an independent photographer, a respected senior colleague in the industry offered her candid opinion during a drinking party. When I nervously inquired, trying to conceal my inner turmoil, she remarked, “Oda’s photos seem rather haphazard. The lighting, costume presentation, overall polish—everything appears somewhat disjointed. It lacks deliberate design and attention to detail.”
I became acutely aware of my shortcomings when I compared my photographs to those of senior photographers I admired. The disparity was glaring, and I felt ashamed of my previous complacency with their perceived “mediocrity.” My senior and I differed significantly in our perspectives and the level of scrutiny we applied to each photograph—the depth of questions we asked ourselves.
Then, sensing my despondency, the senior continued with these words of encouragement: “I understand you have various limitations. However, how can you transcend those constraints? Can you capture photos that truly satisfy you? You need to make changes, including your environment. But remember, before you even click the shutter, ‘If you can’t see it, you can’t capture it,'” he advised. I credit these words from my senior for helping me persist as a photographer until today. Indeed, the ability to visualize the shot before taking it is crucial.
Growth is the discovery of new “questions”
There’s a saying, “God is in the details.” Typically, it emphasizes precise and delicate skills. However, I see it differently. It’s not just about precision or delicacy; what truly matters is the number of “questions” one asks when confronting a single subject.
In reality, there’s no need to alter the details; the key lies in attentively handling and completing them, even those you didn’t create yourself. Reflecting on this and meeting diverse individuals, I came to see that this narrative extended beyond the realm of photography. As an example, a close friend of mine secured a position at a foreign investment bank. About a year into her tenure, she appeared downcast, possibly due to fatigue or the demanding nature of the job.
When she decided to lend an ear to her friend’s grievances over a few drinks, she asked, “What’s been happening lately?” With a heavy heart, her friend recounted, “I pulled an all-nighter at work preparing proposal materials. When I presented them to my boss, he immediately pointed out typos and missing numbers without even reading them. I fixed them and returned, only to be told the text box heights in the PowerPoint document were wrong, and the whole thing was discarded.” “That’s quite a harrowing tale.
It’s almost too absurd to believe,” I sympathized with a wry smile. Yet, I now found myself grasping some understanding of her boss’s perspective. There’s a saying that goes, “Everything happens for a reason,” but in the case of documents riddled with careless errors, their flaws are glaring even before their content is read.
While he recognized the significant issue with his boss’s attitude, the disparity in the number of questions asked about the proposal materials between the boss and the new employee’s friend was glaring. The ability to pose questions about the task at hand is undeniably one of the crucial attributes of being capable in one’s job.
Looking back, where do I stand now? I’ve grown somewhat since receiving advice from a senior photographer, but I realize I may still have a long journey ahead. Recently, I’ve begun to consider that this journey of growth may continue throughout my life. Every accomplishment seems to bring forth new questions. Growth, after all, involves uncovering these new questions. As the number of “questions” increases, so does my awareness of my own shortcomings and areas needing improvement.
Is It an Ear of Rice That Bows Its Head As It ripens?
As I pondered over these thoughts, my grandfather’s words from the beginning resurfaced in my mind.
I interpreted the phrase, “It’s like an ear of rice that bows its head as it ripens,” to mean more than just pretending to be humble. When we passionately engage in something and immerse ourselves in it, we start to truly “see” the world, ourselves, and our pursuits more clearly. As we broaden our understanding and experience, our own limitations, though they may have grown slightly, become more apparent in comparison to the vastness of the expanding world around us. This highlights that while we may be evolving, the world is evolving at a much faster pace, constantly challenging us to grow further.
I understand. It seems that the process of continually discovering new questions and feeling small can indeed be exhausting and sometimes discouraging. During those moments, reminding yourself that it’s okay to consider quitting can provide a sense of relief and perspective. However, if you ultimately choose not to quit, it signifies a commitment to keep pushing forward. Viewing this journey from a different angle, you might see it not just as a long and tiring road, but as an invaluable opportunity for personal growth and development.
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