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兜の緒を締める (かぶとのおをしめる) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, ichidan verb
brace oneself ; pull oneself together ; tighten one's helmet strings
idiomatic expression
Idiomatic expression often used in the imperative form 勝って兜の緒を締めよ (after a victory, tighten the strings of your helmet) to mean staying vigilant and not letting one's guard down after success. The literal image is of securing one's helmet before battle.
See also: 勝って兜の緒を締めよ
お
を
締し
め
て
次つぎ
の
練れん
習しゅう
に
臨のぞ
ん
だ
。
After winning the match, I tightened my helmet strings and prepared for the next practice.
Kanji 緒 thong, beginning, inception Similar words 気き を 引ひ き 締し める A more common, general expression meaning 'to brace oneself' or 'to tighten one's focus,' without the martial imagery of 兜の緒を締める.
兜かぶと The noun 'helmet' (especially a samurai helmet); 兜の緒を締める is a fixed phrase using this word.
Etymology From the literal action of tightening the cords (緒) of a kabuto (兜, samurai helmet) before battle, used figuratively to mean preparing oneself mentally. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it is associated with samurai culture and proverbial wisdom.
