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Author Archives: Confanity
I wouldn’t wish it on a dog
夫婦喧嘩は犬も食わぬ (Fuufu genka wa inu mo kuwanu; “Even a dog doesn’t eat a husband-wife fight”) Definition: Fights between marital partners are based on small issues that seem ridiculous to outsiders but can become emotionally charged. Then they quickly blow over and the … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged classical grammar, couple fight, 犬も食わぬ, even a dog, 喧嘩, 夫婦
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Like those dreams where you’re running
不即不離 fu.soku.fu.ri Literally: non – instant/agree/conform – non – separate Alternately: At just the right distance, often mentally rather than physically. Neither approaching nor getting further away. Not loving nor hating; neutral; noncommittal; ambivalent. Notes: This four-character compound can be … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged cats, 離れず, neutral, perfect distance, 即かず, 不離, 不即
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Magic Monday – Literally above the law
Miniature Judgment A Miniature Judgment is a set of figurines dressed as clan elders from a long-passed age, carved of dark, highly-polished wood. If arranged on an appropriate dais, altar, or other foundation, they have the ability to impose a … Continue reading
Posted in Rules, Setting, World-Building
Tagged item, Judgment, law, Magic Monday, statues
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Lend an eave, cause to grieve
庇を貸して母屋を取られる (Hisashi wo kashite omoya wo torareru; “Lending the eaves, having the main room taken”) Definition: Giving someone an inch, only for them to take a mile. Lending or giving someone part of something, especially when that person is in … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged eaves, give an inch, taken advantage of, 庇を貸して, 母屋を取られる
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Ninety-nine problems and also another problem
When I first encountered this compound, I pictured it as a quaint conga line of traditional Japanese bakemono. Now all I can see is [redacted topical political comment]. 百鬼夜行 hya-.kki.ya.kou OR gyou Literally: hundred – oni (often translated “demon” or … Continue reading
Magic Monday – A common alternative to “smoke bomb!”
Raise Cloud The magician causes a bank of mist or fog to accumulate in an area. Similar to the Breath of Av-Beleren, this spell has a very simple fundamental form that can be used in training, but clever and skilled … Continue reading
Or eggshells. Frozen eggshells?
薄氷を履むが如し (Hakuhyou wo fumu ga gotoshi; “Like treading on thin ice”) Definition: Being in an intensely dangerous situation. When a thick layer of ice covers a body of water, it can safely support people walking on it or even heavy … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Classic of Poetry, danger, 薄氷, 詩経, fear, thin ice, 履む
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Questions about high school, dux and redux
Here’s a list of questions about one’s high school days that I saw on Facebook recently. For the sake of being completionist, I’ve answered them, but the real meat of my response is below. 1. Did you know your spouse? … Continue reading
A learning mechanic for YAOSC
Some readers may remember that I’ve got my own “fantasy heartbreaker” tabletop RPG system perpetually on the back burner, whimsically titled YAOSC (Yet Another Old-School Clone). The basic design elements for most action resolution are: Roll equal to or under your … Continue reading
A two-dimensional definition of beauty
In 3D it’d be ２６方美人? 八方美人 ha-.ppou.bi.jin Literally: eight – direction – beauty – person Alternately: Trying to be all things to all people. Originally this compound was read literally as a beautiful person who was without flaw no matter … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged all things to all people, 発砲, 美人, duplicity, eight directions, 八方
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