Category Archives: Japanese

Like chopping radishes with Excalibur

Posted on June 2, 2019 by Confanity

大根を正宗で切る (Daikon wo Masamune de kiru; “To cut a daikon with a Masamune”) Definition: Overkill. Bringing force, talent, or material to a job or problem far in excess of what is actually needed; often, assigning a task to someone who … Continue reading →

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A real eye-opener

Posted on May 29, 2019 by Confanity

開眼供養 kai.gen.ku.you Literally: open – eyeball – offer – nurture Alternately: This is the name of a Buddhist ceremony in which the eyes are added to a Buddhist sculpture or image, completing it and investing it with a soul. By … Continue reading →

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How about when elephants fight?

Posted on May 26, 2019 by Confanity

疾風に勁草を知る (Shippuu ni keisou wo shiru; “In strong wind one learns of the strong grasses”) Definition: It is only after personally encountering hardships or trials that one truly understands the character and value of people who have already withstood those … Continue reading →

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Great at everything but dancing

Posted on May 22, 2019 by Confanity

八面六臂 hachi.men.ro-.ppi Literally: eight – face – six – elbow Alternately: Active in a variety of areas, usually with incredible energy and results. One person doing the work of several. As productive as if having eight heads and six arms. … Continue reading →

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I met a traveller from an antique land

Posted on May 19, 2019 by Confanity

朝顔の花一時 (Asagao no hana hitotoki; “The morning glory flower, a single moment”) Definition: Something’s peak or prime only lasts for a short time. Decline and entropy are all too easy. Like the morning glory flower that blooms at dawn and … Continue reading →

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Zen and the art of shining a footlight

Posted on May 15, 2019 by Confanity

脚下照顧 kya-.kka.shou.ko Literally: leg – below – illuminate – look back Alternately: Make time to look within. More literally, “make sure to look carefully under your own feet.” 照顧 is a Zen Buddhist term for consideration, reflection, introspection. This is … Continue reading →

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はは　は

Posted on May 12, 2019 by Confanity

子を持って知る親の恩 (Ko wo motte shiru oya no on; “The kindness of a parent, which you realize when you have a child”) Definition: Raising kids is hard. But as with most difficult tasks, most people don’t realize the exact amount of … Continue reading →

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Not a photographic memory, but a typeset one

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Confanity

博覧強記 haku.ran.kyou.ki Literally: acclaimed – see – strong – scribe Alternately: Widely-read and remembering much. Having a vast supply of knowledge, thanks to extensive study and good recall. Notes: This compound comes to us from the Han shi waizhuan (韓詩外伝, … Continue reading →

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Maybe they should make salmon streamers

Posted on May 5, 2019 by Confanity

鯉の滝登り (Koi no takinobori; “A carp climbing a waterfall”) Definition: Spectacular success in life. A person being as successful in society or career – in “the world” – as a carp that manages to overcome rapids and waterfalls in its … Continue reading →

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The last refuge of the incompetent

Posted on May 1, 2019 by Confanity

“Violence appears where power is in jeopardy, but left to its own course it ends in power’s disappearance.” – Hannah Arendt 暴虐非道 bou.gyaku.hi.dou Literally: violence – oppress – not – road Alternately: Inhumane cruelty and violence; atrocity and tyranny. By … Continue reading →

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