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Author Archives: Confanity
Ire makes me tire
What if you studied at a 短気大学? 短気は損気 (Tanki wa sonki; “A short temper leads to loss”) Definition: People who let their tempers get the better of them end up making errors, getting into fights, and causing trouble, and ultimately … Continue reading
Also about good posture
“And you shall speak of them when you sit at home, and when you walk along the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up.” 行住坐臥 gyou.juu.za.ga Literally: go / walk – reside – sit – lie … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Buddhism, contemplation on the mind-ground, daily life, 行住, four postures, 四威儀, 坐臥, 座臥, 心地観経
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Billennium?
起きて半畳寝て一畳 (Okite hanjou nete ichijou; “Half a tatami awake, one tatami asleep”) Definition: People should be satisfied when they have enough to live on, instead of hungering for unnecessary wealth and rank. There’s no point in chasing unreasonable levels of … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged 畳, 韓詩外伝, 起きて半畳, Hanshi Waizhuan, satisfaction, tatami
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A wish for 2017
不偏不党 fu.hen.fu.tou Literally: not – lean – not – faction Alternately: Impartial. Unbiased. Neutral. Independent. Moved by facts, reason, and what is right and true rather than partisan bickering or blind loyalties. Notes: This compound comes from a text called … Continue reading
Magic Monday – The Ultimate Duck Whistle
Call Beast Some beings are so powerful that merely invoking their names is enough to draw their attention. Most of the time this attention is brief and inconsequential, but many beings can be enticed to appear physically by appropriate ceremonies … Continue reading
As we journey through this world…
…Let’s wear our hearts on sleeves unfurled (I should have written a post in advance, but yesterday was taken up largely by my sister getting married. Today’s kotowaza is in honor of that long-awaited joyous event as well as a … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged analogy, classical Japanese grammar, human kindness, Iroha karuta, journey, marriage
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Year in Review: The Kid in 2016
At the start of 2016 I was a full-time stay-at-home dad. When I had errands to run, I strapped the kid to my chest and walked or got on the bus. He was curious and observant, but couldn’t express himself … Continue reading
Posted in Nonfiction, Uncategorized
Tagged 2016, cognitive development, linguistic development, the kid
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Do what I say, not what I say
朝令暮改 chou.rei.bo.kai Literally: morning – command – evening – reform / change Alternately: An unstable situation where it’s never clear what the rules are or what they’re going to be, because they’re being changed so frequently. Laws or decrees being … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Book of Han, instability, Tanaka Makiko, waffling, 暮改, 朝令
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Magic Monday – Feeling a little Ouija
Speak with Dead (Seance) The caster summons nearby spirits of the dead for consultation. If interested, they may engage in ordinary conversation – or the caster may attempt to force them to answer questions. Specific spirits may also be called, … Continue reading
Posted in Rules, World-Building
Tagged Magic Monday, necromancy, seance, spirits of the dead
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If you beat it, dust will come
Field of Dreams reference, right? Right! 叩けば埃が出る (Tatakeba hokori ga deru; “If you strike it, dust will come out.”) Definition: No matter how much you smooth over the surface of something and make it presentable, closer inspection will reveal flaws; … Continue reading
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