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Author Archives: Confanity
Glance after equally-loving glance
No piquing, though 一視同仁 i-.sshi.dou.jin Literally: one – look – same – benevolence Alternately: Feeling equal affection for all, without prejudice or discrimination. Universal love, without consideration for rank, caste, or any of the other distinctions that normally divide us. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged benevolence, brotherhood, 韓愈, Han Yu, ideals, universal love, 原人, 同仁, 一視
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Potholes are another story
盲蛇に怖じず (Mekura hebi ni ojizu; “The blind do not fear snakes”) Definition: The ignorant have no way to judge the true danger of a situation, and so take risks that more knowledgeable people would avoid. “Fools rush in where angels … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged blind, classical Japanese grammar, 盲, 蛇, fear, foolish bravery
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Epistolary epimetheum
妄言多謝 mou.gen.ta.sha Literally: blind/reckless – word – many – apology Alternately: This is a utilitarian phrase used to ask forgiveness after speaking in an imprudent, careless, or prejudiced way. For example, it may be found at the end of a … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged circumspection, 魔兎, letters, politeness, 多謝, 妄言
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Make sure to rationalize your hands more often in the winter
(to prevent chapping) 理屈と膏薬はどこへでも付く (Rikutsu to kouyaku wa doko he demo tsuku; “Rationalizing and ointment will stick anywhere.”) Definition: People can come up with rationalizations for almost anything. The ideal of reason is a rigorous search for the truth no … Continue reading
The problem with thigh drugs
I mean, *a problem 二股膏薬 futa.mata.kou.yaku Literally: two – thigh / crotch – lard / ointment – medicine Alternately: Being here and there; refusing to commit; changing one’s position or opinion based on what seems to be favorable at the … Continue reading
Does it flip when you’re old?
少年老い易く学成り難し (Shounen oiyasuku gaku narigatashi; “For a youth to age is easy, and to become a scholar is hard”) Definition: People should study hard when they’re young, because time is precious and fleeting. When you’re young you feel like you … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged classical Japanese grammar, hard work, learning, life is short, Zhu Xi, 偶成, 学成り難, 少年老い易, 朱熹
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Blurt
開口一番 kai.kou.ichi.ban Literally: open – mouth – one – [ordinal counter] Alternately: The first thing out of someone’s mouth. The very first thing someone says when they start talking. Alternately, to start speaking suddenly and without warning.
The other big one is wearing socks on hardwood floors
生兵法は大怪我の基 (Namabyouhou wa ookega no moto; “Green soldiering leads to great harm”) Definition: To do things with an incomplete or half-baked set of knowledge or skills is to invite failure. “A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep.” Going … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Alexander Pope, 生兵法, inexperience, warnings, 大怪我, 朝山意林庵, 清水物語, 仮名草子
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Got sunshine, in a bag
大安吉日 tai.an.kichi.jitsu Literally: big – peace – joy – day Alternately: A good day for doing things. Specifically, 大安 was a very auspicious day under the old 陰陽 (Onmyou, Japanese style yin-yang) divination system, and this compound emphasizes this positivity … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged divination, 陰陽, good day, Gorillaz, horoscope, 吉日, 大安, 暦, 源氏物語
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Promise: A toboggan anapest
Promise At the top of a very tall hill a toboggan sits, waiting for someone to ride it on down. And I think to myself, every time I pass by, that as soon as it snows I will take it … Continue reading
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