Categories
- Japanese (824)
- Kotowaza (413)
- Yojijukugo (409)
- Long Fiction (6)
- Meta (11)
- Nonfiction (74)
- Poetry (13)
- Short Fiction (20)
- Uncategorized (13)
- World-Building (176)
- Miscellaneous (24)
- Rules (127)
- Setting (69)
- Japanese (824)
Archives
-
Recent Posts
Author Archives: Confanity
On upside-down trees
本末転倒 hon.matsu.ten.tou Literally: root/origin – tip/end – revolve/turn – fall Alternately: Putting the cart before the horse. Getting your priorities turned around, or otherwise being mistaken about the relative importance of things. Mixing up cause and effect. Notes: 本 and 末 … Continue reading
Emeralds to a sea cucumber. Platinum to a moose.
猫に小判 (Neko ni koban; “Gold coins to a cat”) Definition: Casting pearls before swine. No matter how valuable or useful something is, if you give it to someone who doesn’t understand its worth or use, then it won’t do them … Continue reading
Other Heavens
Other Heavens She shone for me like the sun, Bringing certain truths to a stretched-tight sky, Showing things according to her lights: The fire-freckles on rivers’ skins, The hues of crops arching high, The living, raging joy of fusion! She … Continue reading
How to make of yourself an evening vessel
Today’s four-character compound stands in direct opposition to last time’s 栴檀は双葉より芳し. 大器晩成 tai.ki.ban.sei Literally: big – container/tool – evening – become Alternately: Great skill blooms late. Just as a large vessel such as a cauldron or temple bell isn’t cast … Continue reading
Precocity!
栴檀は双葉より芳し (Sendan wa futaba yori kanbashi; “The sandalwood tree is fragrant from when it’s a sprout”) Definition: Genius shows even in childhood. Just as the wood of the sandalwood tree smells nice even when it is just a sapling, so … Continue reading
A little high; a little low; any way the wind blows
一喜一憂 i-.kki.ichi.yuu Literally: one – joy – one – sorrow/anxiety Alternately: Alternating positve and negative feelings: joy and sorrow, hope and fear, cheerfulness and worry. Being unable to put one’s mind at ease. Mood swings. Extreme sensitivity to small changes … Continue reading
Maslow would agree
Here’s another famous one: 花より団子 (Hana yori dango; “Dumplings before flowers”) Definition: People value things that address their concrete needs over more abstract, artistic considerations. It is better for something to be profitable or beneficial than merely pleasing. Substance is … Continue reading
A quick link about combat arrowing
Next time you encounter fictional archery, whether in a movie, book, or in a game (especially a fantasy-themed game that involves characters using magic or performing feats of legendary strength and skill), here’s something to keep in mind:
Who knows White River?
(Not me! I was asleep!) 白河夜船 shira.kawa.yo.bune Literally: white – river – night – boat Alternately: Being sound asleep. Being completely unaware of one’s surroundings. Alternately, affecting a know-it-all attitude despite a lack of actual expertise or experience. Notes: 河 … Continue reading
For when you just have to say “At least it wasn’t….”
不幸中の幸い (Fukouchuu no saiwai; “Happiness amidst misfortune.”) Definition: A cloud’s silver lining. A small consolation in hard times or sadness. A small mercy that things weren’t worse. Breakdown: This kotowaza is simply a noun phrase. 幸い (saiwai) is a noun … Continue reading
landofnudotcom 