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Category Archives: Japanese
What part of the law is this possession?
正直の頭に神宿る (Shoujiki no koube ni kami yadoru; “A god dwells in the head of the honest”) Definition: Honesty is the best policy. A benevolent spirit will protect, inspire, even possess those who are honest in their dealings. Note that here … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged better angels, 神宿る, divine protection, honesty, possession, the best policy, the gods help those, 正直者
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Keep in mind for next year
Seriously, try to avoid travel during a pandemic, even if it’s for love. 惚れて通えば千里も一理 (Horete kayoeba senri mo ichiri; “If you travel while in love, even a thousand ri feel like one.”) Definition: If you’re traveling to meet with someone … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged ほれて, love, pop music, psychological relativity, Valentine's Day, 千里, 会わずに
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My friend Dan
一致団結 i-.cchi.dan.ketsu Literally: one – do – group – bind / join Alternately: Many people joining and working together for a common cause. Notes: This is a compound of compounds. 一致 is “agreement,” “union,” while 団結 is “grouping together,” “teaming … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged chocolate ladybugs, democracy in action, group project, teamwork, 団結, 一致
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It’s a new wind, so blow no ill
明日は明日の風が吹く (Ashita wa ashita no kaze ga fuku; “Tomorrow, tomorrow’s wind will blow.”) Definition: Things might be bad today, but tomorrow could well be better, so don’t let it get you in a funk. Alternately: you don’t know what the … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged a new wind, don't assume the worst, don't stress, Kabuki, optimism, worry, 河竹黙阿弥, 上総綿小紋単地
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Lose yourself in the public flats
公平無私 kou.hei.mu.shi Literally: public – even – no – private Alternately: Impartial; unprejudiced; unswayed by personal interests. Fair. Notes: This comes from our friend the Han shi waizhuan (Japanese 『韓詩外伝』 = Kanshi gaiden). It also has an expanded Japanese-style reading, … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 無私, even-handed, exactly what we need right now, 韓詩外傳, 韩诗外传, 西郷隆盛, fair, Han shi waizhuan, impartiality, public servants, Saigō Takamori, 公平, 明治維新
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Chopped short by the writer’s block
文は遣りたし書く手は持たず(Fumi wa yaritashi kakute wa motazu;“Wanting to send a letter, but lacking the hand to write it”) Definition: This phrase expresses a desire to write a letter to someone (especially a family member, close friend, or lover), accompanied by writer’s … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged いろはカルタ, correspondence, difficulty communicating, 遣りたい, 譬喩尽, hard to find the words, letter writing, 書き手
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Wrack, wrack, wrack your brains
And your body too! Merrily… ? 意匠惨憺 i.shou.san.tan Literally: mind – artisan – harsh – calm Alternately: Doing one’s utmost in an act of creation (especially artistic creation) or design; painstaking attention to detail and agonizing effort for the purpose … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Chinese literature, Du Fu, exactly what we need right now, good design, maximum effort, suffering, 惨憺, 惨澹, 意匠, 杜甫
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The attack of Not A Number
Beware lest your calculations be all messed up 一難去ってまた一難 (Ichinan satte mata ichinan; “One trouble goes; another trouble.”) Definition: No sooner have you escaped one danger or difficulty than the next arises. Out of the frying-pan and into the next … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged misfortune, one after another, problems travel in packs, troubles, 去る, 一難
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