舟ふねに刻こくして剣けんを求もとむ

expression

not keeping up with the times; unaware that things are changing

A classical idiomatic expression from a fable in Master Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals. Used to criticize someone who clings to outdated methods or fails to recognize changing circumstances. Rare in modern conversation; mostly encountered in literary or proverbial contexts.

• 古ふるい規き則そくにこだわるのは舟ふねに刻こくして剣けんを求もとむようなものだ。

  Clinging to old rules is like carving a notch on the boat to find the sword.

• 彼かれのやり方かたは舟ふねに刻こくして剣けんを求もとむに等ひとしい。

  His way of doing things is tantamount to not keeping up with the times.