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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
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Buddhism, Namo, Namu, oy gevalt, three treasures, 南無, 一休, 三宝
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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
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged 灯台, 燈台, in the dark, lamp, under our noses, 東大, 下暗し
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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
Posted in Musing, Nonfiction
Tagged blisters, disease, fever, hand foot and mouth, sick
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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
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged acting on one's own, 独断, incense pun, willful action, 専行
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