灯台下暗し
とうだいもとくらし
expression (proverb)
darkest under the lamppost; overlooking what's right under one's nose
1.
darkest under the lamppost
A proverb meaning that we often overlook things that are closest to us or fail to notice obvious things right in front of us.
探していた眼鏡が頭の上にあった。灯台下暗しだ。
The glasses I was looking for were on top of my head. It's darkest under the lamppost.
答えは身近なところにあった。灯台下暗しとはこのことだ。
The answer was right nearby. This is exactly what 'darkest under the lamppost' means.
灯台下暗しで、自分の長所に気づかないことがある。
Like the saying about the darkness under the lamppost, we sometimes don't notice our own strengths.
PROVERB MEANING:
A 灯台 (here referring to an old oil lamp stand) illuminates its surroundings but leaves the area directly below it dark. Similarly, we often fail to notice things closest to us.
CULTURAL NOTE:
The 灯台 in this proverb originally referred to a traditional Japanese lamp stand (燭台), not a lighthouse. However, the lighthouse interpretation is sometimes used in modern times.
USAGE:
Used when someone overlooks something obvious that is nearby or fails to recognize their own qualities/problems.
ENGLISH EQUIVALENTS:
- It's darkest at the foot of the lighthouse
- You can't see the forest for the trees
- Too close to see