木に縁りて魚を求む きによりてうおをもとむ Meanings Expression to be unable to accomplish something because one has chosen the wrong method; to ask for the impossible (literally: to look for fish by climbing a tree) (from Mencius) Kanji 木 tree. Read as き. 縁 bond 魚 fish. Read as うお. 求 seek Word lists Idioms Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists