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.

Kenshi’s gambit

Posted on August 25, 2019 by Confanity

背に腹は代えられぬ (Se ni hara wa kaerarenu; “The belly can’t take the place of the back”) Definition: If something is vitally important, then other things may need to be sacrificed on its behalf, even if they are also important in their … Continue reading →

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Yeets, and shoots leaves

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Confanity

百発百中 hya-.ppatsu.hyaku.chuu Literally: hundred – emit – hundred – middle Alternately: Hitting the center of the target with every arrow or bullet fired. A 100% hit rate. Metaphorically, a person with plans or, especially, predictions that never fail. Notes: This … Continue reading →

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Wagahai wa Sam de aru

Posted on August 18, 2019 by Confanity

馬には乗ってみよ人には添うてみよ (Uma ni wa notte miyo hito ni wa soute miyo; “Try riding a horse; try accompanying a person”) Definition: It’s often difficult to understand the true nature of something without experiencing it firsthand, so don’t criticize or judge until … Continue reading →

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Get out of the blazing heat

Posted on August 14, 2019 by Confanity

円転滑脱 en.ten.katsu.datsu Literally: round – revolve – slide – remove Alternately: Able to change one’s words and actions in response to other people’s mood or situation, and thus get stuff done without ruffling feathers unnecessarily. Dealing with things skillfully. Adaptable; … Continue reading →

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Magic Monday – the Sword of Eternal Guard

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Confanity

The Sword of Eternal Guard An ancient master forged this steel gladius-like blade and enchanted it so that it could not leave the hand of its wielder so long as a single enemy remained within ten paces. And even now, … Continue reading →

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More comfortable than a high horse

Posted on August 11, 2019 by Confanity

I say it’s high time 枕を高くして寝る (Makura wo tataku shite neru; “To sleep with your pillow high”) Definition: Having nothing at all to worry about. Complete and utter peace of mind. Care-free and able to sleep easy. Breakdown: This simple … Continue reading →

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The opposite of Genji

Posted on August 7, 2019 by Confanity

天真爛漫 ten.shin.ran.man Literally: heavens – true – inflamed – involuntary Alternately: When a person’s thoughts and feelings show on the surface of their words and behavior. Simplicity; naivete; unaffectedness. Wearing one’s heart on one’s sleeve. Keep in mind that in … Continue reading →

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Child development: the self-propelled tomato

Posted on August 6, 2019 by Confanity

As some readers may already know from other sources, The Kid has a little sister now. Not too long after she was born I looked at her round, red face and thought, Oh, a tomato. So now one of her … Continue reading →

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As opposed to strawberry fields

Posted on August 4, 2019 by Confanity

(…which I’m told are forever) 滄海変じて桑田となる (Soukai henjite souden to naru; “The sea becomes a field of mulberries.”) Definition: The world is full of dramatic changes. If you stop paying attention to something for a few years, when you next … Continue reading →

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The natural state of heroes

Posted on July 31, 2019 by Confanity

疲労困憊 hi.rou.kon.pai Literally: tire(d) – labor – distress – fatigue Alternately: Complete and utter exhaustion. As tired as one can be. Notes: This is another compound of redundant terms for emphasis: both 疲労 and 困憊 mean “exhaustion,” “fatigue,” “weariness.” I … Continue reading →

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