expression, nidan verb (lower class) with 'mu' ending (archaic)
to be nitpicky; to be fault-finding
Proverb meaning to find fault with something trivial or to be overly critical. Literally 'blow the fur to find a scar'. Archaic grammar (classical Nidan verb 求む).
彼はいつも毛を吹いて疵を求むようなことばかり言う。
He always says things that are nitpicky, like blowing the fur to find a scar.
そんな小さなミスを指摘するのは、毛を吹いて疵を求むようなものだ。
Pointing out such a small mistake is like being fault-finding.
Similar meaning: to nitpick or split hairs. 毛を吹いて疵を求む is more literary and archaic, while 重箱の隅をつつく is a common modern idiom.
A classical Japanese proverb. The exact origin is uncertain, but it metaphorically describes the act of blowing on fur to reveal hidden flaws, symbolizing excessive fault-finding.