Shiranai Koto Shiritai

In just four Japanese words, Shiranai koto shiritai captures a mindset that fuels explorers, scientists, artists, and lifelong learners.

Together: “I want to know the things I don’t know.” shiranai koto shiritai

Not “I want to learn more about my favorite topic.”
Not “I want to confirm what I already suspect.”
But: I want to discover the blind spots in my own understanding. In just four Japanese words, Shiranai koto shiritai

In English, "I want to know" can sound transactional or utilitarian. "I want to know the train schedule." "I want to know if it will rain." But shiritai carries a softer, more intrinsic desire. It stems from shiru (to know), and the -tai form expresses a personal wish. When paired with shiranai koto, the phrase shifts from "I need this information" to "I am drawn to the mystery of the unknown itself." Together: “I want to know the things I don’t know

Unlike the Western emphasis on "knowledge is power," the Japanese conceptualization often leans toward "knowledge is connection" – to people, to nature, to history, to the subtle details others overlook.

"Shiranai Koto Shiritai
Secrets I Long to Uncover
In the shadows of our daily routines, hidden truths wait to be uncovered. 'Shiranai Koto Shiritai' - a phrase that embodies our deepest curiosities about those around us, and perhaps, about ourselves."