1.
self-praise; tooting one's own horn
Boasting about something one has done or owns. Comes from the old practice of each household making and praising its own miso. Most often appears in the set phrase 手前味噌ですが/手前味噌ながら, used as a humble preface before saying something positive about oneself or one's family or company.
手前味噌ですが、自信作です。
Tooting my own horn here, but it's a work I'm proud of.
手前味噌ながら、うちの息子はよく気がつく子でして。
It's a bit of self-praise, but my son is a very attentive child.
手前味噌になりますが、当社の製品は業界で最も評価が高いと自負しております。
It may sound like self-praise, but we take pride in our products being the most highly regarded in the industry.
手前 means "in front of one(self)" — that is, "made at one's own house." The phrase reflects the older practice of homemade miso, where each household believed its own was the best.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 手前味噌ですが: "It may sound like self-praise, but..." (the most common usage)
- 手前味噌ながら: same nuance, slightly more formal
- 手前味噌になりますが: similar polite preface in business speech
REGISTER:
Almost always used as a humble preface, not as a label for others' boasting. Saying it of someone else would sound rude. Common in speeches, blog posts, and product introductions.