Author Archives: Confanity

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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.

Inception, but with normal gravity

Posted on May 13, 2020 by Confanity

自己暗示 ji.ko.an.ji Literally: self – self – dark – show Alternately: Self-suggestion. Working to convince yourself that something is true, or implant an idea, perception, or similar mental construct in one’s own head. This can range from self-hypnosis, to daily … Continue reading →

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At the foot of a difficult wave

Posted on May 10, 2020 by Confanity

難波の葦は伊勢の浜荻 (Naniwa no ashi wa Ise no hamaogi; “What they call ashi in Naniwa is hamaogi in Ise”) Definition: Different places are different – they have different manners, different customs, and even different words for the same things, so be … Continue reading →

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Crane your neck to look at the clouds

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Confanity

閑雲野鶴 kan.un.ya.kaku Literally: leisure – cloud – field – crane (bird) Alternately: A relaxed, hermit-like lifestyle in a natural setting, far from worldly cares and social intrigues. The pleasant side of isolation. Notes: This is another compound of compounds. 閑雲 … Continue reading →

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Arts and crafts for quarantine

Posted on May 3, 2020 by Confanity

門前雀羅を張る (Monzen jakura wo haru; “To spread a sparrow-net at the gate”) Definition: For a place, especially a home, to feel desolate and deserted due to lack of visitors. When the entrance to your estate (because you are an aristocrat … Continue reading →

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Row, row, row your bye

Posted on April 29, 2020 by Confanity

Gently down the WOLF CRYPTIDS?!?! 周章狼狽 shuu.shou.rou.bai Literally: circumference – badge/writing – wolf – wolf Alternately: Confusion and commotion; getting freaked out and not knowing what to do. Notes: This is another compound of compounds; both 周章 and 狼狽 on … Continue reading →

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But supposing you brought the light inside

Posted on April 26, 2020 by Confanity

Just shine full-strength sunlight into every single cell of your body and you’ll never need to worry about viruses again. 馬鹿と暗闇おっかない (Baka to kurayami okkanai; “Both idiots and darkness are scary”) Definition: The darkness is frightening because you don’t know … Continue reading →

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Ace of crowns: Challah!

Posted on April 24, 2020 by Confanity

The onset of coronavirus brought a rush of baking to the country, and our household was no exception. I tried baking challah for the first time I can remember, certainly the first time on my own, in the first week … Continue reading →

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Not “as mysterious as the dark side of the moon”

Posted on April 22, 2020 by Confanity

(The closest to that seems to be 難知如陰, “as hard to know as a shadow.”) 風林火山 fuu.rin.ka.zan Literally: wind – woods – fire – mountain Alternately: The principle of dealing with things according to what’s most appropriate to the situation … Continue reading →

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You can lead a horse to sutras

Posted on April 19, 2020 by Confanity

縁なき衆生は度し難し (En naki shujou wa do shigatashi; “It’s hard for the Buddha to save those who do not know the Buddha”) Definition: People who don’t heed advice or warnings are very hard to help. Salvation is difficult for those who … Continue reading →

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A spectral interlocutor

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Confanity

音信不通 on.shin.fu.tsuu Literally: sound – trust – non – pass through Alternately: Communications getting cut off. While any break in expected communications can qualify, it seems to be commonly used to refer to “ghosting” – when one person simply stops … Continue reading →

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