Monthly Archives: November 2015

Magic Monday – They found not a heart within the beast

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Confanity

Augury Some variant of this spell exists in every land, in response to humanity’s voracious need for knowledge. The details are not important compared to the process: the magician must enter a meditative state, observe a source of randomness, and … Continue reading →

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Play it again, Sam – ?

Posted on November 29, 2015 by Confanity

I like this kotowaza so much, I think I’ll post it next week too! 馬鹿の一つ覚え (Baka no hitotsu oboe; “The one thing a fool remembers”) Definition: “He that knows little often repeats it.” A foolish person clings to one thing, … Continue reading →

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Or, can a dog be French?

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Confanity

Another yojijukugo using the rare “dog” character that we saw last week: 狗子仏性 ku.shi.bu-.sshou Literally: dog – child / (zodiac) rat – Buddha – nature / gender Alternately: “Does a dog have a Buddha nature?” – a classic zen koan. … Continue reading →

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The Tragedy at Panera

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Confanity

A couple days ago we were changing the kid’s diaper before his midday nap. To express his displeasure over some aspect of the process, he was kicking his legs: raising them up and then bringing them back down with a thump, … Continue reading →

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Magic Monday – A breath of strong air

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Confanity

Breath of Av-Beleren (Blast of Ufbalaran) This peculiar spell is primarily used by the Order to teach novices the art of focus, and a certain breed of practicing wizards judge their fellows by whether they allow the knowledge to languish, … Continue reading →

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Now I’m caught on the phrase “ear-spoon.”

Posted on November 22, 2015 by Confanity

Counterpoint: 杓子は耳掻きにならず (Shakushi wa mimikaki ni narazu; “A ladle can not be used as an ear-spoon.”) Definition: This saying directly opposes last week’s 大は小を兼ねる. It declares that a larger thing can not necessarily fulfill the role of a smaller one, … Continue reading →

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Thoughts on toddler cognitive development, part 3

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Confanity

A while ago we got the kid a set of rubber balls: one basketball, one soccer ball, and one football; each around the same size as a large grapefruit. He can’t really use them as freely as he’d like, yet; … Continue reading →

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Is this where I snark about Apple products?

Posted on November 18, 2015 by Confanity

羊頭狗肉 you.tou.ku.niku Literally: sheep – head – dog – meat Alternately: A lack of truth in advertising. Advertising something better than what you’re actually selling. Something seems high-quality, but its actual nature or essence is substandard. Notes: This is another … Continue reading →

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Magic Monday – This land is my land

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Confanity

Wizard-Ward This enchantment is one of many that can be used to create a “place of power” in which the abilities of its resident magician are magnified and hostile forces are weakened. Each day of the month-long ritual, the magician … Continue reading →

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That’s what she said?

Posted on November 15, 2015 by Confanity

大は小を兼ねる (Dai wa shou wo kaneru; “The large does the work of the small”) Definition: Something that is more can do the work of something that is less. Better too much than too little. It is possible to use a … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments