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Author Archives: Confanity
Nothing like a camel and a needle, though
瓢箪から駒が出る (Hyoutan kara koma ga deru; “A horse from a gourd”) Definition: Used to describe something that is completely unexpected, or something that was suggested as possible at least half-jokingly, but which actually comes to pass. Note that this can’t … Continue reading
Standing on the shoulders of giants to see far
A yojijukugo for going back to school. 温故知新 on.ko.chi.shin Literally: warm – reason/cause/therefore – know – new Alternately: Learning from the past. Gaining new knowledge or wisdom through (thorough) study of the past. Moving forward with new ideas, based on … Continue reading
…and fruit flies like a banana?
This is one of my more favorite and more commonly quoted kotowaza. I’m not sure how it took me so long to get around to it. Time flies, I guess. 8^D 光陰矢の如し(Kouin ya no gotoshi; “Light and shadow are like … Continue reading
Poem – “Litany”
A poem, in the voice of a character from a story much planned but largely unwritten. by Davis van Zandt Please report any of the following to the proper authorities: When you see people who aren’t, in all objectivity, there … Continue reading
Posted in Long Fiction, Poetry, World-Building
Tagged Cthulhu, Jabberwock, litany, Serif
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Although I do say so myself…
自画自賛 ji.ga.ji.san Literally: self – picture – self – praise Alternately: Singing one’s own praises. Blowing one’s own horn. (Public) self-congratulation. Note: Although the 賛 can be translated as “praise,” in this case it refers to a tradition of writing poetry, … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 自画自賛, Japanese, self-congratulation, self-praise
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Not the monkey’s paw; that’s very different
A new semester will be beginning soon. (Wish me luck in keeping up with my posting schedule!) Recently I went to a welcome lunch for the new Masters students in our department. One, from China, told me about a Chinese … Continue reading
A How for Pow (RPG magic)
What would you give up for magical powers? Your health? Your physical strength or speed? Your sanity? Your ability to connect with the people around you? Here’s an idea for an alternate, relatively system-neutral rule for magic in RPGs. The … Continue reading
Posted in Rules, World-Building
Tagged attributes, magic, RPG, rules, sacrifice, wizards
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Said my Parents, with One Voice
異口同音 i.ku.dou.on Literally: Different – mouth – same – sound Alternately: “With one voice,” “in concert,” unanimous(ly) Notes: Keep in mind that 口 is pronounced ku rather than the more common kou.
Counterintuitive Countermeasures
This week’s kotowaza was chosen, in part, to further demonstrate the use of the character 以 from Wednesday’s yojijukugo 以心伝心. 毒を以て毒を制する (Doku wo motte doku wo sei suru; “Use poison to control poison.”) Definition: “One poison drives out another.” Sometimes … Continue reading
Another meeting of minds
This week’s yojijukugo was chosen for its thematic similarity to Sunday’s kotowaza. 以心伝心 i.shin.den.shin Literally: By means of – heart/mind – transmit – heart/mind Alternately: Tacit understanding. Sympathy; empathy; telepathy. “Communion of mind with mind.” [Youtube]
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