I read this expression in a text. It seems to be an old proverb about monkeys. But I am not sure about its meaning. Why 筋, for instance? Does it means muscle? reasoning faculty? Why would they be lacking?
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It means: "Monkeys are less clever than humans" or literally: "Monkeys have 3 hair less than people" 足らぬ being used for 足りない and 筋 being the counter for hair To add a bit of history/legend: 毛 doesn't stand for "hair" but for apparel, appearance or skill...etc. The legend states that during the creation of the world, Kamis (god(s)) thought human and monkeys were too similar and removed 3 details (毛) from them. A monkey asked to "god" (kami) why they could not become human. God answered, because you lack the following 3 points (毛):
(reason, compassion and sense of accomplishment) http://iwasironokuni.cocolog-nifty.com/komiti/2011/07/post-6d0c.html |
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