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
Dead mom walking – Does anime have a maternal mortality hairstyle trope?
What’s it like to be a working mother in China? We asked a Chinese mom
Japanese girl says she won’t get married because she loves Frieza too much, mom has epic response
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
7-Eleven Japan to start selling Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches this summer
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino, tea and soda drinks for summer
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Studio Ghibli adds new My Neighbour Totoro music box to its anime merchandise store in Japan
Suspected Japanese ice cream cartel under investigation for price-fixing
All-you-can-eat cheese restaurant in Tokyo is a hidden gem not many people know about
100-meter tall Hello Kitty artwork appearing on Japanese Ferris wheel, jumbo Pompompurin nearby
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
Japanese bento shop touches hearts by selling super cheap boxed lunches for around a dollar
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
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
You can now buy text messages from “your mom” from Japanese capsule toy machines
Japanese advice columnist shuts down mother who doesn’t want to give son permission to marry
High school students create petition to change the name of Family Mart’s “Mom’s Diner” line
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
A letter from our reporter’s deceased mother arrives at just the right time
Mom makes authentic-looking Recon Corps uniform for baby daughter, Colossal Titan mask for herself
5 powerful reasons to be a woman in Japan 【Women in Japan Series】
Graduating high-schoolers in Japan tweet photos of the last lunch bentos their moms made for them
Mom in Japan finds notebook filled with messages of love from schoolgirl daughter who passed away
Otaku lie down in the streets of Tokyo to be comforted by beautiful anime mom【Photos】