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We have all heard the expression: "time flies"; and, for example, planning for a move into a new house can begin months in advance, but almost before you know it, the deadlines approach and decisions must be made, bills paid, and packing-up begins, etc. In Japan, there is an old proverb related to this, which goes as follows: 月日に関守なし (TSUKI HI NI SEKIMORI NASHI). 月/TSUKI = months + 日/HI = days + 関守/SEKIMORI = checkpoint + なし/NASHI = none. During the 17th~19th centuries in Japan, travel was strictly controlled by the Tokugawa Shogun's government, and SEKIMORI checkpoints were set-up at many strategic spots along the inter-provincial roads. Officials at the SEKIMORI examined travelers, passports, and luggage, etc., and this often caused considerable delays. So, getting back to the proverb, its meaning is that there are no "checkpoints" which will stop or slow-down the flow of months and days, so we must make the best use of time, while we have the chance to do so.

written by Goodfield