三さん尺じゃく下さがって師しの影かげを踏ふまず

Meanings

a student must never forget to honor their teacher

Proverb emphasizing deep respect for one's teacher, literally meaning 'walk three feet behind so as not to step on the teacher's shadow'. Used to remind students of proper reverence and humility.

See also: 三尺去って師の影を踏まず

「三さん尺じゃく下さがって師しの影かげを踏ふまず」という言こと葉ばがあるように、師しを敬うやまう心こころを忘わすれてはいけない。
As the saying goes, 'A student must never forget to honor their teacher,' you must not forget to respect your teacher.

Kanji

三three
尺shaku, Japanese foot, measure
下below, down, descend
師expert, teacher, master
影shadow, silhouette, phantom
踏step, trample, carry through

Related words

三さん尺じゃく去さって師しの影かげを踏ふまず
Variant using 去って (leave, depart) instead of 下がって (step back); similar meaning but less common.

Written forms

三さん尺じゃく下さがって師しの影かげを踏ふまず
Standard kanji spelling of the proverb.
三さん尺じゃくさがって師しの影かげを踏ふまず
Variant with 下がって written in kana; less common but still encountered.

Etymology

A traditional Japanese proverb derived from the strict teacher-student relationship in martial arts and other disciplines, where students were expected to maintain a respectful distance.