Monthly Archives: October 2014

But, what if you have both a sword AND a pen?

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Confanity

A good, balanced approach to life. 文武両道 bun.bu.ryou.dou Literally: sentence/missive/literature – military/warrior – two/both – road/way/teaching Alternately: Both the military and the literary arts. A person who excels at both athletic endeavors (especially, but limited to, martial arts) and scholarship. … Continue reading →

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Who knows Snake Road?

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Confanity

蛇の道は蛇 (Ja no michi wa hebi; “Snakes [know] the snakes’ road”) Definition: People who belong to a certain group are the ones who know the most about the ways of that group. Specialists understand other specialists in their field better … Continue reading →

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A villanelle in a voice

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Confanity

Thea The world is old and hums with power In many voices; I should know I speak for all that comes to flower I came to being in a bower Born of the wild’s ebb and flow The world is … Continue reading →

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Some hard-core traditional Japanese culture, in a small convenient package

Posted on October 22, 2014 by Confanity

This is quite possibly the most famous yojijukugo in Japan. I’m not entirely sure how it took me so long to get around to it. 一期一会 ichi.go.ichi.e Literally: one – time (period) – one – meeting Alternately: (Every time you … Continue reading →

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From out of the mouth of me, I grab at thee

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Confanity

喉から手が出る (Nodo kara te ga deru; “A hand comes from the throat”) Definition: To want something very, very much; so much that you can hardly stand it. This imaginative metaphor compares desire to physical appetite, and pictures a hunger so … Continue reading →

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All four of them

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Confanity

喜怒哀楽 ki.do.ai.raku Literally: joy – anger – sorrow – ease/pleasure Alternately: Human emotions. The range of human emotions. All of a person’s emotions.

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Thought of the day: baby arms

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Confanity

When a baby is startled, even if it’s asleep, it will often go like this: I’m not sure how much scientific literature is out there about this particular reflex. Someone I was talking to idly theorized that its roots go … Continue reading →

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Frog and more frog

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Confanity

One more kotowaza for the frogs. It’ll be something different next week, I promise. 蛙の子は蛙 (Kaeru no ko wa kaeru; “A frog’s child is a frog”) Definition: “Like father, like son.” “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” The … Continue reading →

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Elbow Grease

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Confanity

Midterms. Already? 切磋琢磨 se-.ssa.taku.ma Literally: cut – scrub/rub – strike – polish/scour/grind (or: cut – polish – polish – polish!) Alternately: Diligent effort. Improving oneself through study. Notes: There’s a fuller phrase, 切磋琢磨し合う (sessa-takuma shiau). The shiau part means “to … Continue reading →

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Frog, like honey badger, just don’t care

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Confanity

Another frog kotowaza! Because… I don’t know why. Don’t let it bother you. 蛙の面に水 (Kaeru no tsura ni mizu; “Water in a frog’s face”) Definition: Not being bothered by things at all. No matter what happens, keeping one’s composure, or … Continue reading →

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