舟に刻して剣を求む ふねにこくしてけんをもとむ Meanings Expression to not be getting with the times; to be unaware that things are changing (from a fable in Master Lü's Spring and Autumn Annals) Kanji 舟 boat. Read as ふね. 刻 engrave. Read as コク. 剣 sword. Read as ケン. 求 seek Word lists Idioms Jinuma: Japanese Dictionary · Word lists