In a woman’s life, she has perhaps no greater teacher than her mother. As she encounters and overcomes life’s various twists and turns, a woman may begin to realize her mother told her things that are important and sometimes even a little profound.
And now everyone can share in this maternal wisdom (if you speak Japanese) thanks to a new Twitter account called Haha no Meigen, or “My Mom’s Famous Sayings.”
Collected from the mutterings and exclamations of mothers all over the country, this account is sure to pull at your heartstrings. For your reading pleasure, here are a few samples of Japanese mothers’ homespun wisdom:
– People mirror each other. If you frown, people around you will frown too, but if you smile, they will smile back at you.
– After you get married, you only need to keep one eye on your husband, but while you are dating, you better keep both eyes WIDE open.
– Marry someone who’s at your level or better because sometimes a man’s inferiority complex is even worse than a woman’s.
– A guy who lives at his own pace or a guy who’s a little sketchy, fine, but never marry a liar. Eventually you will wonder if you can even trust his love for you, and that is truly hard.
– You are going to be seeing your own face your whole life, so whether you love it or hate it, you better take care of it!
– Making little girls look cute takes work.
– It’s fine to depend on men, just not your father.
– Unlucky year? For women, your whole life will be an unlucky year. If you think of it that way, you might be able to muddle through somehow.
– Women should smile because there’s no use in making a scary face.
– Nobody can stand hearing the woman they love say “But I love you!”
– If you want to be beautiful, don’t let your worries show on your face. A woman’s worries turn her into an ogre, you know.
– A woman who has never experienced pain or trouble is like a beautiful glass ball. The slightest tap will shatter her. Only a woman who has experienced every hardship will be like an unbreakable jewel.
– Women are beautiful because of the troubles they’ve lived through.
Oh, that one really gets to me! I’ve lived through some troubles at my age, but if I think of them as worthwhile experiences that are making me a more beautiful person, I get the strength to be positive and carry on.
Haha no Meigen is full of lots more of these maternal gems, both funny and touching. Sometimes strict and sometimes gentle, moms are always looking out for you and can teach you the important lessons about womanhood and about life.
Image: Twitter

Japanese mom’s advice to daughter: Ask your boyfriend for many selfish things
Japanese Twitter user gets a terrifying visit from Mom while taking a bath
You can now buy text messages from “your mom” from Japanese capsule toy machines
What’s it like to be a working mother in China? We asked a Chinese mom
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Paying for prostitution isn’t illegal in Japan, but it could be soon
Our reporter is willing to die on the pseudo-Italian restaurant Olive Hill
Downloads of 39-year-old Guns N’ Roses song increase 12,166 percent thanks to Gundam
Man in Japan takes four parakeets hostage in attempt to force woman to meet with him
Man arrested in Japan after leaving car in coin parking lot for six years, racking up three-million-yen bill
This gachapon capsule machine dispenses real Akoya pearls, with certificates of authenticity
Testing Japan’s fluffy mayonnaise pancake cooking hack【SoraKitchen】
Ghost in the Sheel goes traditional with Japanese porcelain Tachikoma robots, only 50 to be made
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Huge Evangelion Unit-01 head appearing in lights in Japan to celebrate anime’s 30th anniversary
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Japanese girl says she won’t get married because she loves Frieza too much, mom has epic response
Japanese mom’s husband trash talks her for using frozen dumplings, maker fires back on Twitter
Chip ‘n’ who? One Japanese mom’s Disney character blunder has Twitter cracking up
High school students create petition to change the name of Family Mart’s “Mom’s Diner” line
Graduating high-schoolers in Japan tweet photos of the last lunch bentos their moms made for them
Japanese advice columnist shuts down mother who doesn’t want to give son permission to marry
Japanese mom lists 14 ways life with a spouse is different from life with someone you’re dating
Japanese man surprises his busy wife with the best gift a mom can receive
Twitter story about accidentally being a chauffeur gentleman reveals how oblivious men can be
5 powerful reasons to be a woman in Japan 【Women in Japan Series】
Mom makes authentic-looking Recon Corps uniform for baby daughter, Colossal Titan mask for herself
Real-life soap opera: Chinese couple get married, realize that they’re cousins later
Mom hangs son’s “dirty towels” out to dry
Japanese Twitter user reminisces about the tobacco box that led to her being born
Mom in Japan finds notebook filled with messages of love from schoolgirl daughter who passed away
Leave a Reply