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Category Archives: Japanese
Now with more star power
As in literally not just the north star, but six other stars 泰山北斗tai.zan.hoku.to Literally: Tai – mountain – north – dipper Alternately: A leading and respected figure in a given field; someone of immense personal authority by whose standard others … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged authority, big dipper, 韓愈, 韩愈, Han Yu, leaders, Mount Tai, New Book of Tang, Tolkien, 北斗, 新唐書, 新唐书, 泰山
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Too hot for a cold reading
“Philosophers / must ultimately find / their true perfection // in knowing all / the follies of mankind / -by introspection.” – Piet Hein, Grooks, “The Ultimate Wisdom.” 陰陽師身の上知らず(On’youji mi no ue shirazu;“The diviner knows not their own fate”) Definition: … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged blind spot, 知らない, divination, 陰陽師, 身の上, fortune-telling, Grooks, Iroha karuta, Onmyoudou, self-awareness
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You and I, wacky together
Armpit noises??? 用和為貴you.wa.i.ki Literally: (to) use – harmony – do – valued Alternately: A statement that the most important thing is good relations between people. One should cherish positive interpersonal relations in all of society. Notes: This one is in … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged ancient constitutions, Chinese Antiquity, Classic of Rites, 為貴, 用和, 礼記, 礼记, 禮記, 聖徳太子, Japanese antiquity, Lijing, social harmony, the importance of peace, 十七条憲法
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The hammer of kindness
鑿と言えば槌(Nomi to ieba tsuchi;“When [asked for] a chisel, [one also brings a] mallet”) Definition: To be intelligent and thoughtful in all things – as a description, or as an imperative. If someone asks you to bring them a chisel, having … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged chisel, consideration, 鑿, hammer, Iroha karuta, mallet, understanding, 槌
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From sea to shining sea to another sea to yet another sea
Earning an A+, though, not a C 海内無双kai.dai.mu.sou Literally: ocean – inside – not – pair Alternately: Top-ranked in the nation, or in the world. Without peer. Notes: This compound comes from our friend, the ancient poetic anthology Wen Xuan … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged artistic sushi, best in the world, 無双, 無比, excellent, matchless, peerless, unparalleled, 四海, 天下, 文选, 文選, 海内
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“Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to.”
For better or for worse… or for just vaguely smelly 鰯の頭も信心から(Iwashi no atama mo shinjin kara;“Even a sardine’s head, from faith”) Definition: Faith works in mysterious ways; faith is kind of weird if you stop to think about it. Even … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged イワシの頭, Buddhism, 鰯の頭, faith, fish heads, Iroha karuta, irrational belief, magical thinking, sardines, Setsubun, 信心
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Under the bushel you go, light!
Reading doujinshi for the Buddha’s sake. 和光同塵wa.kou.dou.jin Literally: harmony – light – same – dust Alternately: An especially wise or talented person hiding their abilities (often through self-effacement) and living a common life among the common people. In a Buddhist … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged Chinese Antiquity, Dàodé Jīng, 老子, 道德經, 道德经, hiding away, modest living, secret mission, 同塵, 和光
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Out of the wrong, something sweet
嘘から出た実(Uso kara deta makoto;“Truth that came from a lie”) Definition: Something that was said as a lie or joke turns out to be true after all. Note that this applies to coincidences and accidental truths, not “fake it ‘til you … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged まこと, Iroha karuta, irony, joke, lies, truth, unexpected result, 嘘から, 実
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Thoughtful social distancing
遠慮会釈en.ryo.e.shaku Literally: far – thought – meet – explain Alternately: Holding back and thinking of others; reserve and consideration. Notes: This is a compound of compounds; 遠慮 is “discretion,” “restraint,” and 会釈 is “thoughtfulness (for the sake of others.” These … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged お辞儀, bowing, careful thought, consideration, 遠慮, Iroha karuta, kludges, orthography, restraint, 会釈
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