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Author Archives: Confanity
The mind, a mirror; the will, like water
明鏡止水 mei.kyou.shi.sui Literally: bright – mirror – stop – water Alternately: Like a polished mirror. Like still water. Clear and serene. Specifically, a placid mental state that results from a mind free of ill-will or wicked thoughts. The calm of … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged clear mind, Daoism, 荘子, screaming martial arts guys, serene, Zhuangzi, 明鏡, 止水
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Magic Monday – A personal radiance
Cloak of Power The wise wizard knows that violence can cause as many problems as it solves, and reliance on it means a life of exposing oneself to potential injury and death. Yet there are also times when more subtle … Continue reading
Posted in Rules
Tagged audiovisual magic, cloak, Magic Monday, manifestation of power
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But wouldn’t a forest be a mountain’s “cover”?
山高きが故に貴からず (Yama takaki ga yue ni tattokarazu; “The mountain is not valued for being high.”) Definition: Don’t judge situations based on superficial qualities, but by their essential nature. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Don’t value a mountain just … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged book by its cover, 高き, 貴からず, mountain, value, 実語教, 山
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Another thought on toddler cognitive development
The kid has started categorizing the world and associating properties with those categories. He has also started learning the names of things. Examples: He will see a dog, and say “Dah!” He will hear a dog bark, and say “Dah!” … Continue reading
Posted in Musing, Nonfiction
Tagged buses, categorization, cats, cognitive development, dogs, ghosts?, the kid, toddlers
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You have good lumber for this job!
適材適所 teki.zai.teki.sho Literally: suitable – material – suitable – place Alternately: “The right person in the right place.” Placing someone in a position or job that matches their character and skills. Finding the right person to do a given job. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 適所, 適材, infinite recursion, lumber, right job, right person, right place
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Magic Monday – Physical Magic – Iron Shirt
Tesshadzu Hahd The cold and mountainous land known as the Fells is not the easiest place to wear, or even acquire, metal mail or other heavy armor. Hahdet practitioners have found a way around these difficulties by learning how to … Continue reading
Posted in Rules, Setting
Tagged armor, Hahd, iron shirt, Magic Monday, physical magic
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The danger of mouth-sweat
綸言汗の如し (Ringen ase no gotoshi; “Imperial words are like sweat.”) Definition: Words, like sweat, cannot be put back where they came from. Once a ruler has issued a command or decree, it cannot be changed or undone. Implicit in this … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Book of Han, can't be taken back, 綸言, imperial words, sweat, 汗
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A single turn of the heart machine!
心機一転 shin.ki.i-.tten Literally: heart – mechanism – one – turn Alternately: A complete change (for the better) in one’s emotional state in response to something. A fresh outlook on life. Turning over a new leaf. Notes: There are many ways … Continue reading
Magic Monday – An enchantment for Elm Street
Dream Ward Similar to the fae affliction of iron, the progeny of Dream cannot abide the touch of salt, and will recoil from it. Although diluted salts such as what is found in sweat (for example) are no more harmful … Continue reading
cf. 飛龍昇天破 (Hiryuu-shouten-ha)
旭日昇天の勢い (Kyokujitsu shouten no ikioi; “[with] the force of the rising sun”) Definition: Vigorous, energetic, and forceful like the sun rising in the morning sky toward its zenith. Breakdown: 旭 by itself can be read asahi, “morning sun.” 旭日 (kyokujitsu) … Continue reading
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