Author Archives: Confanity

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About Confanity

I love the written word more than anything else I've had the chance to work with. I'm back in the States from Japan for grad school, but still studying Japanese with the hope of becoming a translator -- or writer, or even teacher -- as long as it's something language-related.

Magic Monday – Just say “no” to getting stabbed

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Confanity

Strong-Hand Ward A rare and difficult, but powerful, spell that renders the magician impervious to physical attacks. The actual casting takes time and effort, and the magician must concentrate to retain its efficacy, but for as long as the spell … Continue reading →

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I wonder what his kids thought, though.

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Confanity

愚公山を移す (Gukou yama wo utsusu; “The Old Fool Moves Mountains”) Definition: No matter how great your troubles or difficulties, hard work and perseverance will see you through. Your goals are realized through hard work and persistence. Rome was not built … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Vanishing Point

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Confanity

There was nothing but the road. It was barely visible because the only hint of light was no more than a hole in the darkness somewhere unreachable ahead. Anything else that might have been was lost in a deep and … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Short Fiction | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Crossing Ts and dotting Eyes

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Confanity

It’s finals week! I hope everyone (for whom it’s applicable) is putting the finishing touches on their projects and ready for winter break! 画竜点睛 ga.ryou.ten.sei Literally: picture – dragon – point; dot – pupil (of the eye) Alternately: Putting the … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Magic Monday – Put yourself into your work

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Confanity

Enliven Blade This is one of the few widely acknowledged rituals that can be performed unconsciously. It is known that proper care and attention from a wielder – and taking the lives of sentient beings – can leave traces on … Continue reading →

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Batman in a town without Birdman?

Posted on December 13, 2015 by Confanity

鳥無き里の蝙蝠 (Tori naki sato no koumori; “A bat in a village without birds”) Definition: When there are no exceptional people present, ordinary schmucks will talk big and throw their weight around. My sources compare it to “In the land of … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

At First

Posted on December 11, 2015 by Confanity

  He lived in a large park-like place, and took care of the animals and plants there. A woman lived with him, and helped him—or maybe he helped her; they didn’t stop to consider which it might be. When he … Continue reading →

Posted in Short Fiction, World-Building | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Breathing the blues

Posted on December 9, 2015 by Confanity

青息吐息 ao.iki.to.iki Literally: blue – breath – spit – breath Alternately: Trying times. Hardship and/or great anxiety. Being in such pain (psychologically rather than physically) that you feel physically exhausted and can only sigh in response. Notes: The “blue” refers … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Magic Monday – Taiko Telecommunication

Posted on December 7, 2015 by Confanity

Fel Greeting (Royal Ice Drum) The Fells are best-known, in the magical and martial communities alike, as the home of physical magic. That is not their only discovery, though. If anything, this spell was more vital in the formation of … Continue reading →

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Fortunately, this blog is a complete auteur project….

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Confanity

船頭多くして船山に登る (Sendou ooku shite fune yama ni noboru; “With many boatmen, a ship will climb a mountain”) Definition: Too many cooks spoil the both. With too many crew members trying to steer, a ship can become so lost that it … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment