Category Archives: Japanese

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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Words, words, words

Posted on July 1, 2020 by Confanity

千言万語 sen.gen.ban.go Literally: thousand – say – ten thousand – word Alternately: Very many words. A vast number of words. Really quite a very large number of words indeed. Speech or writing that is long-winded, meandering, overdone, prolix, repetitive, tedious, … 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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On words, the eating thereof

Posted on June 24, 2020 by Confanity

If it happens too often, you might want some grains of salt. 前言撤回 zen.gen.te-.kkai Literally: before – say – withdraw – revolve Alternately: “I take it back.” A phrase that negates a previous phrase, opinion, or comment. Notes: This “practical” … 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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Selfless love

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Confanity

Like, literally selfless and universal 兼愛無私 ken.ai.mu.shi Literally: already / and – love – no – self / I Alternately: Equal affection for all people, without drawing lines between oneself and the Other. Universal love without bias or petty tribalism. … 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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A long and winding… gut

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Confanity

羊腸小径 you.chou.shou*.kei Literally: sheep – intestines – small – path / diameter Alternately: A small and winding mountain road. A path that twists and turns like (sheep) intestines. Notes: This is another compound of compounds. 小径 (“path,” “lane”) on its … 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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“Under a dictatorship, a nation ceases to exist.”

Posted on June 3, 2020 by Confanity

-Wole Soyinka 残酷非道 zan.koku.hi.dou Literally: remainder – cruel / unjust – un- – road / morals Alternately: Unconscionable cruelty. Inhuman brutality. Notes: We’ve seen this before.

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