走 馬 灯(そうまとう)のよう

そうまとうのよう

expression

like a revolving lantern; (memories) flashing before one's eyes

1. like a revolving lantern; memories flashing before one's eyes

A figurative expression describing the rapid succession of vivid memories, especially in moments of extreme danger, emotion, or reflection. Derived from the spinning images of a traditional revolving lantern.

思(おも)い出(で)が走馬灯(そうまとう)のように浮(う)かんだ。

Memories flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern.

事故(じこ)の瞬間(しゅんかん)、人生(じんせい)が走馬灯(そうまとう)のように駆(か)け巡(めぐ)った。

At the moment of the accident, my life flashed before my eyes like a revolving lantern.

卒業式(そつぎょうしき)の日(ひ)、学校生活(がっこうせいかつ)の思(おも)い出(で)が走馬灯(そうまとう)のように次々(つぎつぎ)と蘇(よみがえ)ってきた。

On graduation day, memories of school life came flooding back one after another like a revolving lantern.

A 走馬灯(そうまとう) is a traditional revolving lantern (回(まわ)り灯籠(どうろう)) that projects spinning silhouette images when the candle inside creates a rising air current. The expression 走馬灯(そうまとう)のように describes memories flowing in rapid, vivid succession — similar to English "life flashing before one's eyes."

This is one of the most well-known literary expressions in Japanese and appears frequently in novels, manga, and anime, especially in dramatic near-death or deeply emotional scenes.

Common collocations

走馬灯(そうまとう)のように駆(か)け巡(めぐ)る: to flash through (one's mind)
走馬灯(そうまとう)のように蘇(よみがえ)る: to come flooding back
走馬灯(そうまとう)のように浮(う)かぶ: to float up (in one's mind)

Similar words

走馬灯(そうまとう): revolving lantern — the literal object; also used alone figuratively
フラッシュバック: flashback — a loanword for sudden vivid recall, often of traumatic events
回想(かいそう): recollection, reminiscence — a calmer, deliberate act of looking back at the past

Related Words

Related: 走馬灯(そうまとう) (revolving lantern)

Compare: フラッシュバック (flashback)

Compare: 回想(かいそう) (recollection, reminiscence)

general

Added 2026.4.26 22:24 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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