Category Archives: Japanese

Like an agate in the rough?

Posted on April 28, 2019 by Confanity

Or gold, silver, seashell, pearl, carnelian… 瑠璃も玻璃も照らせば光る (Ruri mo hari mo teraseba hikaru; “Lapis and quartz both shine if illuminated”) Definition: People of good character or exceptional ability will stand out and reveal their worth no matter where they go … Continue reading →

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Pleasant at a distance

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Confanity

But you don’t want them hitting you in the face 花鳥風月 ka.chou.fuu.getsu Literally: flower – bird – wind – moon Alternately: The beautiful scenery of nature. By extension, the hyper-indolent aristocratic pastime of gazing out at gardens full of carefully-arranged … Continue reading →

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If possible, try to ween the exact right amount

Posted on April 21, 2019 by Confanity

Turns out it means “to suppose, to expect.” 驕る平家は久しからず (Ogoru Heike wa hisashikarazu; “The haughty Heike are not for long”) Definition: Pride comes before a fall, and outright arrogance is especially vulnerable. The more a person becomes full of themselves, … Continue reading →

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Busy lake

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Confanity

(Yes, I know that that would actually be ビジー) 美辞麗句 bi.ji.rei.ku Literally: beautiful – word – lovely – phrase Alternately: Pretty turns of speech. Flowery phrasing. Artful rhetoric. As with previous post-fodder 外交辞令, there’s an implication of speech that is … Continue reading →

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Worse than the Hounds of Tindalos

Posted on April 14, 2019 by Confanity

煩悩の犬は追えども去らず (Bonnou no inu wa oedomo sarazu; “Even if you drive out the hounds of earthly urges, they don’t go away”) Definition: Earthly desires will remain with you even if, and no matter how many times, you suppress them. The … Continue reading →

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Not a vital value: 味

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Confanity

(I kid, I kid.) 和敬清寂 wa.kei.sei.jaku Literally: harmony – respect – purity – silence / loneliness Alternately: A term from tea ceremony (茶道, sadou). The host and guests (are supposed to) create a pure (清) and tranquil (寂) atmosphere within … Continue reading →

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Neither the long nor the short of it

Posted on April 7, 2019 by Confanity

帯に短し襷に長し (Obi ni mijikashi tasuki ni nagashi; “Short for a belt, long for a sleeve-strap”) Definition: In a midway state that precludes value that might be found at either extreme. Like a strip of cloth that is too short to … Continue reading →

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In honor of the coming era

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Confanity

外交辞令 gai.kou.ji.rei Literally: outside – mix – word – decree Alternately: Tact and flattery. Phrasing a message to most please the listener, or going out of your way to praise and compliment them, without any sincere intent beyond the desire … Continue reading →

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Long before Tezuka or Dazai

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Confanity

他山の石以て玉を攻むべし (Tazan no ishi motte tama wo osamu beshi; “One must polish one’s jewels with stones from other mountains.”) Definition: A command to take someone else’s mistakes as an opportunity to reflect on and improve your own ways. “One must … Continue reading →

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Kackling

Posted on March 27, 2019 by Confanity

呵呵大笑 ka.ka.tai.shou Literally: scold – scold – big – laugh/smile Alternately: Laughing Out Loud. Hearty laughter. Notes: As usual, the second 呵 can be replaced with the doubling mark 々. 大 may also be pronounced dai, although this seems to … Continue reading →

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