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Recent Posts
Author Archives: Confanity
Pure of heart,
worse than a fart. 水清ければ魚棲まず (Mizu kiyokereba uo sumazu; “If the water is pure fish don’t live there.”) Definition: If you’re too serious and straitlaced, then instead of loving you and wanting to be close to you, people will keep … Continue reading
Think, think, think
思慮分別 shi.ryo.fun.betsu Literally: think – consider – part – separate Alternately: Making judgments based on careful consideration. Thinking deeply about the merits of a situation and only then deciding. Notes: Again we have two two-character words of related meaning compounded … Continue reading
Not looking for a catspaw, but…
Any hand in a storm. 猫の手も借りたい (Neko no te mo karitai; “Wanting to borrow even a cat’s hand”) Definition: Being so extremely busy that one is willing to accept help from anyone at all. So busy that any helping hand … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged busy, cat's paw, Chikamatsu Monzaemon, 猫の手, 関八州繋馬, 近松門左衛門, 平将門
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Doing all the things
(But in high heels and backwards?) 奮励努力 fun.rei.do.ryoku Literally: invigorated – encourage – diligence – power Alternately: To work as hard as you can. To exert maximum possible effort on something. To go all-in on elbow grease. Notes: On its … Continue reading
Magic Monday – Campaign Concept – The Fire From Down Below
This post was brought to you by the very fun “You’re Welcome” song from Moana. I’ve talked before about an “unlocking” campaign, in which the main draw is to explore and plan, negotiate and fight, and acquire new tools that … Continue reading
Posted in Miscellaneous, Musing, Setting, World-Building
Tagged megadungeon, Moana, mythic underworld, prehistory, steal fire
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In which a biographer is like a taxidermist
Maybe an Uberdermist, these days. 虎は死して皮を留め人は死して名を残す (Tora wa shi shite kawa wo todome hito wa shi shite na wo nokosu; “A tiger dies and leaves a skin, a person dies and leaves a name”) Definition: Live well. Live so that … Continue reading
What are you, chicken?
They’re known for their careful scheming. 雌伏雄飛 shi.fuku.yuu.hi Literally: female – prostrate – male – fly Alternately: Following someone else while waiting for a chance to strike out on one’s own. Keeping a low profile while preparing for your time … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged biding one's time, Book of the Later Han, chickens, 雄飛, 雌伏, waiting, 後漢書
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An all-new take on the ant and the grasshopper
大の虫を生かして小の虫を殺す (Dai no mushi wo ikashite shou no mushi wo korosu; “Let the large bug live, and kill the small”) Definition: Sacrificing small considerations so that the large may survive. Cutting off a part so that the whole may live, … Continue reading
Magic Monday – Thoughts on Timing
(I picked up YAOSC and tinkered with it in the winter, then put it down… for the whole spring semester. It’s high time I picked it back up for more tinkering, at least for the duration of the summer. I’ll … Continue reading
Posted in Musing, Rules
Tagged combat mechanics, Magic Monday, rounds, therbligs, time, YAOSC
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