Author Archives: Confanity

Unknown's avatar

About Confanity

I love the written word more than anything else I've had the chance to work with. I'm back in the States from Japan for grad school, but still studying Japanese with the hope of becoming a translator -- or writer, or even teacher -- as long as it's something language-related.

Hasty digging in the Mines of Morai

Posted on August 16, 2020 by Confanity

慌てる乞食は貰いが少ない (Awateru kojiki wa morai ga sukunai; “A beggar in a hurry receives little alms”) Definition: Haste makes waste; slow and steady wins the race. Rushing about or fighting to get in the door first, especially in pursuit of profit, … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Spear-spine spirit

Posted on August 12, 2020 by Confanity

首尾一貫 shu.bi.i-.kkan Literally: neck / head – tail – one – pierce Alternately: Seeing something through from beginning to end without any change in attitude. Consistency in principles, execution of a project, etc. Although the idea might seem negative to … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

All eyes upon you, Masao-kun

Posted on August 9, 2020 by Confanity

弱り目に祟り目(Yowarime ni tatarime; “In a time of weakness, a curse”) Definition: To be beset by compounded troubles when things were already bad. To be kicked when you’re down. Having salt rubbed on your wounds. Things were already worrisome, then they … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Balanced on the head of a hinpin

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Confanity

文質彬彬 bun.shitsu.hin.pin Literally: style – substance – refined – refined Alternately: (A person in whom) external beauty and internal substance are in balance and harmony. Someone unbalanced in favor of their “interior” is crude, plain, unrefined. Someone unbalanced in favor … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

From the ashes a fire shall be woken?

Posted on August 2, 2020 by Confanity

A light from the shadows shall spring! 焼け木杭に火がつく (Yake-bokkui ni hi ga tsuku; “Fire catches on a burned stick”) Definition: A former relationship that was cut off is easy to reestablish. On meeting an old friend or lover, you often … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A leap of dumbth

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Confanity

軽挙妄動 kei.kyo.mou.dou Literally: light (as opposed to “serious”) – action – delusion – motion Alternately: Rash, unthinking action. Doing this and that on impulse, without planning or consideration. Indiscriminate wild flailing. Notes: Despite their relatively similar meanings, replacing 妄 with … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Soldiers are for war, not for peaceful protests

Posted on July 26, 2020 by Confanity

(Another saying that features 焉. Next week we’ll have something different, I promise.) 鶏を割くに焉んぞ牛刀を用いん (Niwatori wo saku ni izukunzo gyuutou wo mochiin; “Why use a cow-cleaver to cut up a chicken?”) Definition: There’s no need to use powerful tools, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chai knees characters

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Confanity

(Why yes, I am using this because I was looking into 焉 for the previous kotowaza post. Funny how that works.) 烏焉魯魚 u.en.ro.gyo Literally: bird – how / why – foolish – fish Alternately: The meanings of the original characters … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fire Down Below – On Becoming

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Confanity

It’s been a while since we had a Fire Down Below post! But finally I’m ready to talk about a more or less workable version of some mechanics that I’m very proud of: mostly diegetic leveling (inspired in part thanks … Continue reading →

Posted in Rules, World-Building | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ambition is for the birds

Posted on July 19, 2020 by Confanity

燕雀安くんぞ鴻鵠の志を知らんや (Enjaku izukunzo koukoku no kokorozashi wo shiran ya; “How could the swallow or sparrow understand the goose or swan?”) Definition: People of lowly character or small ability don’t, and can’t, understand the thought processes and ambitions of those with … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment