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Author Archives: Confanity
Whee!
I only used to have nine pen! 有為転変 u.i.ten.pen Literally: exist – do / change – turn – strange Alternately: Everything in the world is in a constant state of flux. Everything changes; nothing stays the same. A Buddhist comment … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Buddhism, change, 転変, mutability, Vocaloid, 有為
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Out of rain, out of brain
雨晴れて笠を忘れる (Ame harete kasa wo wasureru; “The rain stops and you forget your umbrella (hat)”) Definition: As soon as a painful situation is over, the help one received is forgotten. When rain is threatening or falling people make sure to … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged current events, 笠, 雨晴れ, letting your guard down, traditional Japanese hat
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Level-up Ramen
So let’s say you’ve got some packets of ramen noodles. I’m not even talking about the cups with a smattering of freeze-dried corn and peas on top; this is the ten-for-a-dollar college student staple. But let’s also say that you … Continue reading
The flame and the flood
天変地異 ten.pen.chi.i Literally: heaven – change – earth – different Alternately: Natural disasters or bizarre natural phenomena. Bad or weird stuff that’s not man-made. You know, like eclipses, record-breaking storms, and floods. Notes: 天変 refers to unusual celestial events like … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged natural disaster, strange phenomena, the heavens and the earth, 地異, 天変, 普賢岳
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Hitting the Wong target by accident?
That title feels extra obscure even though I totally explain it below. Weird. 草を打って蛇を驚かす (Kusa wo utte hebi wo odorokasu; “Strike the grass, surprise a snake”) Definition: An innocent or unthinking action that draws unintended, usually bad, consequences. Like idly … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged 王魯, 草を打つ, 蛇を驚かす, snake, unexpected result, warning shot, 書言故事
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Laugh ten million laughs
And then stop? 笑止千万 shou.shi.sen.ban Literally: smile – stop – thousand – ten thousand Alternately: Extremely absurd, ridiculous, stupid; pitiful, unfortunate. Notes: 笑止 refers to something funny – or stupid – or pitiable – or worrisome – or embarrassing, while … Continue reading
Like how Chelm was created, but almost entirely different
堪忍袋の緒が切れる (Kanninbukuro no o ga kireru; “The string on one’s bag of patience breaks”) Definition: Someone reaches the end of their patience and explodes. Running out of one’s ability to hold back and put up with something, especially after suppressing … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged bag of patience, 緒が切れる, Horikawa, the Wise Men of Chelm, 堀川狂歌集, 堪忍袋
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Fat head, skinny tail
竜頭蛇尾 ryuu.tou.da.bi Literally: dragon – head – snake – tail Alternately: A strong or exciting beginning and a weak or dull ending. In with a bang, out with a whimper. Anticlimax. Alternately, something that looks impressive but in reality is … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged anticlimax, 竜頭, 虎頭, 蛇尾, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Transmission of the Lamp, 景徳伝灯録
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Sham shyness, ferocious fleeing?
In like a lamb, out like a lion 始めは処女の如く後は脱兎の如し (Hajime wa shojo no gotoku nochi wa datto no gotoshi; “The beginning is like a virgin, after is like a running hare”) Definition: A battle strategy that begins with a show … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged feigned weakness, strategy, The Art of War, 始めは処女, 孫子兵法, 後は脱兎
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But in Bizarro World, everything is great!
If you live in a democracy, be in touch with your representatives. Even if you live in a country where things are going fine, be in touch and let them know you’re paying attention. It turns out that taking the … Continue reading
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