Category Archives: Kotowaza

Like a dash of cold water

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Confanity

年寄りの冷や水 (Toshiyori no hiyamizu; “Cold water for the elderly”) Definition: This phrase describes a situation in which an elderly person is doing something more aggressive or showy, or even dangerous, than is appropriate for their physical condition. The image is … Continue reading →

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What part of the law is this possession?

Posted on February 21, 2021 by Confanity

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 →

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Keep in mind for next year

Posted on February 14, 2021 by Confanity

Seriously, try to avoid travel during a pandemic, even if it’s for love. 惚れて通えば千里も一里 (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 →

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It’s a new wind, so blow no ill

Posted on February 7, 2021 by Confanity

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 →

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Chopped short by the writer’s block

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Confanity

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 →

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The attack of Not A Number

Posted on January 24, 2021 by Confanity

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 →

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Don’t just tread on it

Posted on January 17, 2021 by Confanity

Make sure your neighborhood is friendly to mongooses 蛇の生殺しは人を噛む (Hebi no namagoroshi wa hito wo kamu; “A half-killed snake bites a person”) Definition: If you take action but don’t finish the job, you only invite harm. A snake wounded but … Continue reading →

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An ounce of prevention is worth….

Posted on January 10, 2021 by Confanity

Buy it when prevention is cheap, not when cure is costly 治に居て乱を忘れず (Chi ni ite ran wo wasurezu; “In peace, do not forget strife”) Definition: Even in times of peace and safety, it’s still necessary to plan ahead in case … Continue reading →

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Never bring a gun to a stats fight

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Confanity

Seriously; that’d be a crime. 下手な鉄砲も数撃てば当たる (Heta na teppou mo kazu uteba ataru; “Even an inept gun, fired a number of times, will hit.”) Definition: Even if someone is very bad at something, with enough tries they’ll produce strong results … Continue reading →

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Hefty fluff

Posted on December 27, 2020 by Confanity

重箱の隅を突く (Juubako no sumi wo tsutsuku; “To poke at the corners of a juubako”) Definition: To fuss over trivial details; to nitpick; to carp endlessly about fine points that don’t actually make a difference. The image is of someone who … Continue reading →

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