Here we report a case of nasolacrimal obstruction resulting from rice grains ingested over many years that had formed an obstructive mass. This is a hitherto unreported cause of nasolacrimal obstruction. We exclusively treated the obstruction safely with repeated irrigation with physiological saline. Although there have been various reports on new techniques such as the blind insertion of a bougie and insertion of a silicon tube under endoscopic guidance, successful treatment of this condition is possible with an old-fashioned approach using the time-honored tools of a syringe and an irrigation needle, if utilized patiently and repeatedly. In Japan, we call this ‘learning new lessons from the past'. This implies that newer techniques may not necessarily be superior and traditional techniques can offer advantages of safety and simplicity in treating this condition.