--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What I always say is that Japanese are…" description: "\"What I always say is that Japanese are like willow. We can be bent easily, but once you try to break us, it would not be so easy.\" — Hiroko Sakai" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/244/hiroko-sakai-16531_bent_what-i-always-say-is-that-japanese-are-l_1370092.png" --- # What I always say is that Japanese are like willow. We can… ![“What I always say is that Japanese are like willow. We can be bent easily, but once you try to break us, it would not be so easy.” quote by Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/244/hiroko-sakai-16531_bent_what-i-always-say-is-that-japanese-are-l_1370092.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/244/hiroko-sakai-16531_bent_what-i-always-say-is-that-japanese-are-l_1370092.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/244/hiroko-sakai-16531_bent_what-i-always-say-is-that-japanese-are-l_1370092.png) > “What I always say is that Japanese are like willow. We can be bent easily, but once you try to break us, it would not be so easy.” [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Japanese resilience is likened to a willow: flexible under pressure but strong when challenged, emphasizing adaptability and inner strength. **In simple terms:** Flexibility helps survive stress; firmness prevents breaking. Key Takeaway Balance flexibility with firm boundaries. Themes resilience culture strength Mood reflective steady Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - team conflict resolution - personal setbacks - organizational change - stressful negotiations Key Concepts adaptability identity collective spirit Questions to Reflect On - When have you bent without breaking? - How do you maintain firmness under pressure? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on flexibility can lead to lack of assertiveness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Flexibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flexibility/) [Japanese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/japanese/) [Willow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/willow/) ## Related quotes > [“Willow sees her before any of the others. A walking skeleton, the victim of some terrible wasting disease, like something out of the history…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-hoban/willow-sees-her-before-any-of-the-others-a-walking-skeleton-the/) [Julia Hoban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-hoban/) > [“late as the 1950s, a foreigner who was able to speak very good Japanese would frequently encounter people who were so conditioned to believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boy-lafayette-de-mente/late-as-the-1950s-a-foreigner-who-was-able-to-speak-very-good/) [Boyé Lafayette de Mente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boy-lafayette-de-mente/) > [“Different cultures and all that, but it’s true what they say about the Japanese being undemonstrative.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-tartt/different-cultures-and-all-that-but-it-s-true-what-they-say-about-the/) [Donna Tartt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-tartt/) > [“She didn't look like a Willow Queen. Of course, I'm not sure what exactly I expected - maybe something akin to Glinda the Good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/she-didn-t-look-like-a-willow-queen-of-course-i-m-not-sure-what/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [Bend like the willow, winds gonna blow you hard and cold tonight. Life as it happens, nobody warns you, willow hold on tight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mccartney/bend-like-the-willow-winds-gonna-blow-you-hard-and-cold-tonight-life/) [Paul McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mccartney/) > [“Willow chuckled as all up and down Allen Street lights began to glow through every window. Someone in a room down the hall lifted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-mcpherren/willow-chuckled-as-all-up-and-down-allen-street-lights-began-to-glow/) [Charlotte McPherren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-mcpherren/) > [“When necessary bend like a willow, when necessary stand unbending like an oak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-natwar-singh/when-necessary-bend-like-a-willow-when-necessary-stand-unbending-like/) K. Natwar Singh > [Sweet to me was not the voice of man, But the wind's voice was understood by me. The burdocks and the nettles fed my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-akhmatova/sweet-to-me-was-not-the-voice-of-man-but-the-wind-s-voice-was/) [Anna Akhmatova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-akhmatova/) > [The willow turns his back on inclement weather. And if he can do it, we can do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mccartney/the-willow-turns-his-back-on-inclement-weather-and-if-he-can-do-it-we/) [Paul McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mccartney/) > [“As her feet beat the concrete ground beneath them, her chest began to ache. It had been a long time since she had run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-caligiuri/as-her-feet-beat-the-concrete-ground-beneath-them-her-chest-began-to/) [Ross Caligiuri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-caligiuri/) > [“It's hard to keep something a secret when it's written all over you body.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-hoban/it-s-hard-to-keep-something-a-secret-when-it-s-written-all-over-you/) [Julia Hoban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-hoban/) > [“My dream is to create something so beautiful that it encourages people to present the best version of themselves to me everywhere I go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-caligiuri/my-dream-is-to-create-something-so-beautiful-that-it-encourages/) [Ross Caligiuri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-caligiuri/) > [“Try to think of it as though we are rewriting history––the first time this experience occurred you and I never kissed in this Dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-caligiuri/try-to-think-of-it-as-though-we-are-rewriting-history-the-first-time/) [Ross Caligiuri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-caligiuri/) > [Near the lake where drooped the willow, Long time ago!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-pope-morris/near-the-lake-where-drooped-the-willow-long-time-ago/) [George Pope Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-pope-morris/) > [Where shall the lover rest, Whom the fates sever From his true maiden's breast, Parted for ever? Where, through groves deep and high, Sounds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/where-shall-the-lover-rest-whom-the-fates-sever-from-his-true-maiden/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) ## More by Hiroko Sakai > [Real Friends' are someone who are right next to you when you got in emergency, not in only parties.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/real-friends-are-someone-who-are-right-next-to-you-when-you-got-in/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) > [Time is 'to make'. it is not 'to have'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/time-is-to-make-it-is-not-to-have/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) > [People say 'I love Artists', but what they really know about Artists? They've ever thought about sharing the real madness with us? I believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/people-say-i-love-artists-but-what-they-really-know-about-artists/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) > [What are we artists for? We are for showing you what you've wandered for to find the home of your spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/what-are-we-artists-for-we-are-for-showing-you-what-you-ve-wandered/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) > [Wherever I wander off to, when I draw, when I paint, I get my life back. I am lucky that I am an Artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/wherever-i-wander-off-to-when-i-draw-when-i-paint-i-get-my-life-back/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) > [“In every motions to put colors on my canvas, I feel like I am screaming, "I AM HERE"... To whom?.. To where?... Where am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/in-every-motions-to-put-colors-on-my-canvas-i-feel-like-i-am/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) > [“yes, i have dated Salvador Dali guy when i was a high school girl. he was a great lover. but i had to dump…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/yes-i-have-dated-salvador-dali-guy-when-i-was-a-high-school-girl-he/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) > [“...I gotta burn these scales... sigh\*”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/i-gotta-burn-these-scales-sigh/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) > [“ONLY' having the Gift, people appreciate this madness as Art. Everybody wants to have Art in their lives, but no body wants to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/only-having-the-gift-people-appreciate-this-madness-as-art-everybody/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) > [“i want to be stronger, so i can protect what i love more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/i-want-to-be-stronger-so-i-can-protect-what-i-love-more/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) > [If somebody tells me what to do, I will do my best not to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/if-somebody-tells-me-what-to-do-i-will-do-my-best-not-to-do-it/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) > [“Look in the mirror. What you see there is what you get from others. When you smile, smile comes back to you. When you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/look-in-the-mirror-what-you-see-there-is-what-you-get-from-others/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) > [The mercy of forgiveness is brought from the strength to accept any situation given and faced. Spiritual independence and humbleness toward life makes life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/the-mercy-of-forgiveness-is-brought-from-the-strength-to-accept-any/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) > [Maybe I might be repeating the same mistake again... But don't you think it is far better to regret what I have done than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/maybe-i-might-be-repeating-the-same-mistake-again-but-don-t-you-think/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) > [If we have received a precious gift from God, it is our imagination. When we tap into our powers of imagination, we are bombs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroko-sakai/if-we-have-received-a-precious-gift-from-god-it-is-our-imagination/) [Hiroko Sakai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) [Explore all 39 Hiroko Sakai quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroko-sakai/) ## More Bent quotes > [I have heard that if you pull a bent breath through the second hole of a harmonica tuned to the key of Georgia while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddy-wakefield/i-have-heard-that-if-you-pull-a-bent-breath-through-the-second-hole/) [Buddy Wakefield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddy-wakefield/) > [The longer I live, the more it grieves me to see man, who occupies his supreme place for the very purpose of imposing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-longer-i-live-the-more-it-grieves-me-to-see-man-who-occupies-his/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Old age likes to dwell in the recollections of the past, and, mistaking, the speedy march of years, often is inclined to take the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lajos-kossuth/old-age-likes-to-dwell-in-the-recollections-of-the-past-and-mistaking/) [Lajos Kossuth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lajos-kossuth/) > [The Lord expects us to enjoy our lives. He says there will be some brutal times, but we shouldn't get all bent out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-henderson/the-lord-expects-us-to-enjoy-our-lives-he-says-there-will-be-some/) [Paul Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-henderson/) > [I was married to a law student, and I used to attend classes with him at Georgetown University Law Center. Being of dramatic bent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luanne-rice/i-was-married-to-a-law-student-and-i-used-to-attend-classes-with-him/) [Luanne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luanne-rice/) > [The person who is bent on killing you will follow you wherever you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-koch/the-person-who-is-bent-on-killing-you-will-follow-you-wherever-you-are/) [Ed Koch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-koch/) > [My heart is like a singing bird Whose nest is in a water'd shoot; My heart is like an apple-tree Whose boughs are bent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-rossetti/my-heart-is-like-a-singing-bird-whose-nest-is-in-a-water-d-shoot-my/) [Christina Rossetti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-rossetti/) > [If art is singular expression, then by nature, the best art is controversial. But when art stirs debate for reasons besides its artistic integrity,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/if-art-is-singular-expression-then-by-nature-the-best-art-is/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [I refer to the misunderstanding of Soviet Russia as an aggressive power, militaristically and ideologically bent upon world domination 'seeing', to quote a recent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enoch-powell/i-refer-to-the-misunderstanding-of-soviet-russia-as-an-aggressive/) [Enoch Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enoch-powell/) > [Blessed are the flexible for they will not allow themselves to become bent out of shape!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-ludlum/blessed-are-the-flexible-for-they-will-not-allow-themselves-to-become/) [Robert Ludlum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-ludlum/) > [But how carve way i' the life that lies before, If bent on groaning ever for the past?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-browning/but-how-carve-way-i-the-life-that-lies-before-if-bent-on-groaning/) [Robert Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-browning/) > [Be Yourself -The man who is neither bent upon pleasing his fellows nor afraid of offending them will enjoy great peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/be-yourself-the-man-who-is-neither-bent-upon-pleasing-his-fellows-nor/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [When the world grinds you down, bent to tear you apart, cling to what you hold dear, and stay true to your heart. 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