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Author Archives: Confanity
Just imagine what they’d do with the War of the Roses
The nuance of 雄 from last week’s 群雄割拠 is distinctly masculine; this week, let’s look at a more feminine compound in a similar theme. 百花繚乱 hya-.kka.ryou.ran Literally: hundred – flower – twist around – disorder Alternately: A profusion of blooming flowers. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 百花, 繚乱, hundred flowers, profusion of talent, 撩乱
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Beasts at the gates!
前門の虎後門の狼 (Zenmon no tora koumon no ookami; “A tiger at the front gate, a wolf at the rear”) Definition: “Out of the frying pan, into the fire.” While you were driving away a tiger at the front gate, a wolf … Continue reading
A Tale from Clevaria
In the time of the god-king, lord of the sky, director of rain, clouds, and wind, whose name was secret, emissaries came from the plains to Clevaria. They worshipped strange gods of earth, and carried one with them in a … Continue reading
Posted in Setting, Short Fiction, World-Building
Tagged Clevaria, Four Realms, gods, history, legend, Shankhar, war
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Ancient wisdom about market share?
群雄割拠 gun.yuu.ka-.kkyo Literally: group – masculine/hero/leader – divide – basis Alternately: Many rival warlords, each controlling their own territory and vying for supremacy. A given field seeing multiple people of great ability, influence, or power – possibly competing for dominance. … Continue reading
Now!
善は急げ (Zen wa isoge; “Hurry to do good”) Definition: “Strike while the iron is hot.” Specifically, if you think of something that would be good to do, something worth doing, something worthy – do it now. Don’t wait. Don’t procrastinate. … Continue reading
Tea, Rice, Tea, Rice
日常茶飯 nichi.jou.sa.han Literally: day/sun – usual – tea – (cooked) rice Alternately: An everyday occurrence. Just as boiled rice is a stereotypical part of almost every meal in Japan – breakfast, lunch, and dinner, every single day – and tea … Continue reading
When luck sticks
犬も歩けば棒に当たる (Inu mo arukeba bou ni ataru; “Even a dog on a walk meets a stick.”) Definition: Originally this saying was a warning: a dog, even if it’s just innocently walking along, is likely to be driven off by someone … Continue reading
A post a long time in the making
海千山千 umi.sen.yama.sen Literally: ocean – thousand – mountain – thousand Alternately: The pinnacle of cunning. A sly old fox. Someone who, though long experience, has developed an almost-unbeatable level of cleverness. Notes: First, keep in mind that this is about … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged clever, cunning, dragon, experience, snake, 山千, 海千
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If you don’t study grammar, you won’t be able to confuse yourself with it
This one gets a bit technical, folks, so buckle up. 蒔かぬ種は生えぬ (Makanu tane wa haenu; “Unsown seeds do not grow”) Definition: “Nothing comes of nothing.” Things don’t happen without causes. You can’t expect to profit without doing any work. Breakdown: … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged classical Japanese grammar, 生えぬ, 蒔かぬ, nothing comes of nothing, seeds
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Why not 千歳? I’m not sure, actually
千載一遇 sen.zai.ichi.guu Literally: thousand – ride/publish/get on – one – encounter/receive (guests) Alternately: A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The kind of chance that only comes along once in a thousand years. Notes: 千載 refers to a thousand years; 一遇 is a single 遭遇, … Continue reading
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