Monthly Archives: June 2016

A Buddhist “Oy Gevalt!”

南無三宝 na.mu.san.bou Literally: phonetic “na” – phonetic “mu” – three – treasure Alternately: Roughly equivalent to “Oh my God!” in Western exclamatory parlance, this phrase is supposedly used to invoke the aid of the Buddha when one has messed up. … Continue reading

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Something something Tokyo University

灯台下暗し (Toudai moto kurashi; “Beneath a lamp is dark.”) Definition: It’s surprisingly easy to be ignorant about things or events close-by. We are most blind to what is under our very noses. “Go abroad to hear of home.” The image … Continue reading

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That time we were all sick

What follows is a description of the progress of a disease. It’s nothing especially gruesome, but feel free to skip it if you’re feeling squeamish. I merely present our experience in the hopes that it will prove to be of … Continue reading

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Executive incense?

(No, that would be 独断線香.) 独断専行 doku.dan.sen.kou Literally: alone – sever / decide – exclusive – go / act Alternately: Deciding what to do, and then doing it, all on one’s own without consulting anybody else. Acting arbitrarily or willfully … Continue reading

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