Category Archives: Kotowaza

From the ashes a fire shall be woken?

Posted on August 2, 2020 by Confanity

A light from the shadows shall spring! 焼け木杭に火がつく (Yake-bokkui ni hi ga tsuku; “Fire catches on a burned stick”) Definition: A former relationship that was cut off is easy to reestablish. On meeting an old friend or lover, you often … Continue reading →

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Soldiers are for war, not for peaceful protests

Posted on July 26, 2020 by Confanity

(Another saying that features 焉. Next week we’ll have something different, I promise.) 鶏を割くに焉んぞ牛刀を用いん (Niwatori wo saku ni izukunzo gyuutou wo mochiin; “Why use a cow-cleaver to cut up a chicken?”) Definition: There’s no need to use powerful tools, or … Continue reading →

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Ambition is for the birds

Posted on July 19, 2020 by Confanity

燕雀安くんぞ鴻鵠の志を知らんや (Enjaku izukunzo koukoku no kokorozashi wo shiran ya; “How could the swallow or sparrow understand the goose or swan?”) Definition: People of lowly character or small ability don’t, and can’t, understand the thought processes and ambitions of those with … Continue reading →

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When your stat spread make you crabby

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Confanity

蟹は甲羅に似せて穴を掘る (Kani wa koura ni nisete ana wo horu; “A crab digs its hole to match its shell”) Definition: People think and act according to their personal circumstances and abilities. Just as a small crab will dig a small burrow … Continue reading →

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A Sangaria sangria

Posted on July 5, 2020 by Confanity

国破れて山河在り (Kuni yaburete sanga ari; “A country, destroyed; mountain and river, existing”) Definition: The works of humankind – castles, towns, countries – may fall or be destroyed, but the mountains and rivers remain. Kings and kingdoms pass, but Nature endures. … Continue reading →

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In my outrage, I caught dozens of flies

Posted on June 28, 2020 by Confanity

開いた口が塞がらない (Aita kuchi ga fusagaranai; “The open mouth does not close”) Definition: To be in a state of utter shock, especially in response to someone’s condition, attitude, words, or behavior. To be left speechless, with one’s mouth hanging open. Agape … Continue reading →

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As surprising as a plink to the coo

Posted on June 21, 2020 by Confanity

鳩が豆鉄砲を食ったよう (Hato ga mamedeppou wo kutta you; “Like a pigeon got shot by a pea-shooter”) Definition: Dazed; amazed; puzzled; left staring in shock by something sudden or completely unexpected. A bit like a deer in headlights, except more like a … Continue reading →

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Lessons from Toad Hall

Posted on June 14, 2020 by Confanity

柳に雪折れなし (Yanagi ni yukiore nashi; “The willow is not broken by snow”) Definition: Gentleness and flexibility may appear weak, but are actually stronger than hardness. The supple, drooping branches of a willow tree aren’t as impressive as the rigid branches … Continue reading →

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‘Bring it on’ is broad, not long

Posted on June 7, 2020 by Confanity

Alas, “deep” doesn’t rhyme. 何でも来いに名人なし (Nandemo koi ni meijin nashi; “There are no masters of Whatever May Come”) Definition: A person who is ready for anything, is not a master at anything. You can be a generalist or an expert, … Continue reading →

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How about a Marshall Field’s?

Posted on May 31, 2020 by Confanity

(There’s a spelling-only pun in here that I didn’t notice until the post was almost entirely written; bear in mind that the Land of Nu sides with those who stand against fascism.) 児孫のために美田を買わず (Jison no tame ni biden wo kawazu; … Continue reading →

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