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Category Archives: Japanese
The topical commentary almost writes itself
鬼の空念仏 ((O)ni no sora-nenbutsu; “An oni‘s empty prayers”) Definition: A cruel and cold-hearted person putting on a show of benevolence, compassion, or charity. A bad person behaving uncharacteristically well. Like a demon making making a big show out of praying, … Continue reading
Male and female, he folded them
In order to pour drinks prettily! 雄蝶雌蝶 (o).chou.me.chou Literally: male – butterfly – female – butterfly Alternately: This noun phrase describes a pair of origami “butterfly” shapes sometimes attached to the decanters used for pouring sake during traditional Japanese wedding … Continue reading
Dance like nobody’s watching
縁の下の舞 ((e)n no shita no mai; “dance below the veranda”) Definition: Working hard to support someone from out of sight; doing a thankless task. By extension, someone in an unacknowledged position who is nonetheless of use and help. A power … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged 縁の下, dance, 舞, hidden support, Japanese architecture, thankless task, unsung hero
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Life finds a way
炒り豆に花が咲く ((I)rimame ni hana ga saku; “Flowers growing from roasted beans”) Definition: An example of something that had declined, failed, or withered flourishing again beyond all expectations. By extension, an impossible event. Something happening that’s about as likely as roasted … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged 炒り豆, 花が咲く, flourishing, impossible, Kefukigusa, roasted beans, Setsubun, unexpected
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A rank fragrance
位階勲等 (i).kai.kun.tou Literally: rank – stair / story – meritorious deed – quality / (first) class Alternately: Court rank; honors; accolades. Decorations and rank awarded by the government in return for achievement or service. 位階 refers to ranks within the … Continue reading
A lost art?
和して同ぜず (Washite douzezu; “harmonize but not agree”) Definition: Cooperating, but only within reason. Making a point of getting along with others – but not when doing so would be at the cost of reason, truth, one’s individuality, or other important … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Analects, classical Japanese grammar, don't agree, harmonize, within reason, 同ぜず, 和して
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What we could all use a little more of
和気藹藹 wa.ki.ai.ai Literally: harmony – spirit / mood – harmonize / flourishing – harmonize / flourishing Alternately: Full of serenity and stillness. Overflowing with tranquility. Congenial. People getting along well together. Notes: 和気 is a feeling of harmony; 藹藹 is … Continue reading
But what does it all MEAN?
論語読みの論語知らず (Rongo yomi no rongo shirazu; “A reader of Confucius; doesn’t know Confucius”) Definition: Use this when someone technically knows the words of a field of knowledge but doesn’t understand the meaning of the words and is unable to act … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Analects, can't apply, 論語, Kefukigusa, practical application, 毛吹草
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The natural phrasing for a cat to use
老若男女 rou.nyaku.nan.nyo Literally: old – young – man – woman Alternately: All people. Absolutely everybody, regardless of age or sex. Notes: While it is not entirely wrong to read this phrase with the more standard character pronunciations rou.jaku.dan.jo, the all-Ns … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged all people, cat pronunciation, 男女, 老若, nonstandard readings
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