猿真似

さるまね

indiscriminate imitation; monkey see, monkey do; blind follower

Also written 猿まね

Meanings

猿さるまねはやめろ。

Don't be a copycat.
「僕ぼくの字じはどうして、選えらばれなかったんですか？」「徹君きみの字じは、確たしかにきれいなんだよ。基本きほんもできてるし、全体的ぜんたいてきにも整ととのってる。ただね、気持きもちがこもってないんだよ」「気持きもち？」「そうだよ。筆ふでにちゃんと自分じぶんの気持きもちを込こめないと、それはただの猿真似さるまねでしかないんだ。どうしたらいいかは、自分じぶんで考かんがえてみて。次つぎを期待きたいしてるよ」

"Why wasn’t my writing chosen?" "Toru, while your writing is certainly beautiful — you have the basics down and are well-organized overall — the feelings still just aren't there." "'Feelings'?" "Yes. If you don't put your personal feelings into your brushwork, it's rather lifeless. Think about how to do it in your own way. I'll be looking forward to seeing your next attempt."