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Category Archives: Kotowaza
An autumn all the more lovely for being free of raiders from the north
This isn’t a kotowaza in the normal sense of an adage or precept; it’s just an expression. But I’ve loved it since I learned it, and thought I’d take this opportunity to share. 天高く馬肥ゆる秋 (Ten takaku uma koyuru aki; “High-heavened, … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged autumn, 秋, Du Shenyan, 馬肥ゆる, fall, good weather, seasonal greetings, Xiongnu, 天高く
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On canine tautologies
(In other news, water is wet.) 犬が西向きゃ尾は東 (Inu ga nishi mukya o wa higashi; “If a dog faces west, its tail points east.”) Definition: Self-evident. Blatantly matter-of-fact. Something is so obvious that it’s barely worth mentioning. Since a dog’s tail … Continue reading
The gods help those who don’t bug them?
This one is dedicated to all those who just had to push the big red button. Incidentally, it’s somewhat antonymical to last week’s kotowaza. 触らぬ神に祟り無し (Sawaranu kami ni tatari nashi; “Untouched gods won’t curse you.”) Definition: If it ain’t broke, … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged curse, 神, 祟り, 触らぬ, Princess Mononoke, sleeping dogs, tatarigami
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Be the change you want to see in the world, even if it’s only pocket change
Intro: I may have gone a little overboard with the explanation on this one. I hope somebody some time finds it useful, at least! 義を見てせざるは勇無きなり (Gi wo mite sezaru wa yuu naki nari; “To see what is right and not … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged classical grammar, Confucius, courage, 義, 見てせざる, morality, 勇無き
2 Comments
The blood doesn’t fall far from the tree?
This week is an echo of sorts, as I realized part-way through. 血は争えない (Chi wa arasoenai; “You can’t fight your blood”) Definition: There’s no point trying to deny one’s heritage. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” as the … Continue reading
Don’t bee sad!
泣き面に蜂 (Nakitsura ni hachi; “A wasp in a crying face”) Definition: It never rains but it pours. Bad things happen in groups, not in isolation. Misfortune compounded on top of further misfortune. A wasp flying into the face of someone … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged 蜂, hornet, Japanese Giant Hornet, misfortune, wasp, 泣き面
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Not at all like Pi Day plus Shemini Atzeret
Well, a new semester is starting! My wife’s gotten into grad school, and I’ll be writing my thesis and doing a translation project and taking a course or two, and we have a one-year-old kid. Whee! 盆と正月が一緒に来たよう (Bon to Shougatsu … Continue reading
Give me a pass at Cave Pass
I learned this one a long time ago when I was studying for the Kanji Kentei and came to 峠. It’s got an interesting little bit of history bundled up in it, which I like. 洞ヶ峠を決め込む (Horagatouge wo kimekomu; “Staying … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Akechi, Battle of Yamazaki, fair-weather ally, history, Horagatouge, pass, Toyotomi, 決め込む, 洞ヶ峠
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Urgent news straight from the source!
Here’s another flatulence-related saying! Enjoy! 屁と火事は元から騒ぐ (He to kaji wa moto kara sawagu; “Farts and fires make noise from the source”) Definition: The one who caused a problem often complains about it the most. “The one who smelt it, dealt … Continue reading
Shutting the something door after the something has escaped
This is the classiest kotowaza I’ve introduced yet, no doubt! 屁を放って尻窄める (He wo hitte shiri subomeru; “Loosing a fart and [then] clenching your butt.”) Definition: Locking the barn door after the horses are gone. This kotowaza refers to frantic attempts … Continue reading
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