areba

After these confidences, they walked on for a long while without speaking; but, as the proverb declares, Ki ga areba, me mo kuchi hodo ni mono wo iu: "When the wish is there, the eyes can say as much as the mouth."

Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things Lafcadio Hearn 1877

As for the adopted husband, his position is both delicate and difficult, -- as an old Japanese proverb bears witness: Konuka san-go areba, mukoyoshi to naruna ( "While you have even three go* of rice-bran left, do not become a son-in-law").

Japan: an Attempt at Interpretation Lafcadio Hearn 1877