Categories
- Japanese (691)
- Kotowaza (348)
- Yojijukugo (343)
- Long Fiction (6)
- Meta (11)
- Nonfiction (72)
- Poetry (13)
- Short Fiction (19)
- Uncategorized (13)
- World-Building (175)
- Miscellaneous (24)
- Rules (127)
- Setting (68)
- Japanese (691)
Archives
-
Recent Posts
Tag Archives: 史記
Keep your debrief brief
敗軍の将は兵を語らず (Haigun no shou wa hei wo katarazu; “The defeated commander speaks not of war.”) Definition: Someone who has failed at something has no authority to speak on the topic; a defeated general should not give their opinions on warfare. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged excuses, 謀る, lessons of defeat, Records of the Grand Historian, sore loser, 兵を語る, 史記, 史记, 敗軍の将
Leave a comment
And the Wild Things gnashed their terrible teeth
And clenched their terrible arms? 切歯扼腕 se-.sshi.yaku.wan Literally: cut – tooth – dominate / obstruct – arm Alternately: Convulsive rage (or frustration, or other negative emotion). Grinding the teeth and clenching the arms against one’s body. Being so worked up … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged anger, bad mood, teeth, Where the Wild Things Are, 切歯, 史記, 史记, 扼腕, 搤腕
Leave a comment
Ambition is for the birds
燕雀安くんぞ鴻鵠の志を知らんや (Enjaku izukunzo koukoku no kokorozashi wo shiran ya; “How could the swallow or sparrow understand the goose or swan?”) Definition: People of lowly character or small ability don’t, and can’t, understand the thought processes and ambitions of those with … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged birds, Chinese Antiquity, classical Japanese grammar, 燕雀, 鴻鵠, large small, Records of the Grand Historian, understanding, 史記, 史记, 安くんぞ
1 Comment
Arts and crafts for quarantine
門前雀羅を張る (Monzen jakura wo haru; “To spread a sparrow-net at the gate”) Definition: For a place, especially a home, to feel desolate and deserted due to lack of visitors. When the entrance to your estate (because you are an aristocrat … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged desolation, empty, 門前, 雀羅, quaratine, social distancing, sparrow, 史記, 史记, 張る
Leave a comment
Hot air rises
意気揚揚i.ki.you.you Literally: mind/heart – spirit – raise – raise Alternately: In high spirits; triumphant, elated… by extension, boastful; proud unto arrogance; full of oneself. Often used with the ironic or critical nuance that someone’s inflated self-esteem is not actually in … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged arrogance, bullies, pride, Records of the Grand Historian, triumph, 史記, 史记, 意気, 揚々, 揚揚
Leave a comment
Just avoid immovable objects
…and you’ll be fine. Right? 断じて行えば鬼神も之を避く (Danjite okonaeba kishin mo kore wo saku; “If you do things decisively, even demon-gods will get out of the way”) Definition: If you take decisive action backed by strong determination, there is little that … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged classical grammar, determination, 鬼神, Records of the Grand Historian, willpower, 史記, 断じて
Leave a comment
Please do not bend, fold, spindle or mutilate
曲学阿世 kyoku.gaku.a.sei Literally: bend – study – flatter – society Alternately: Twisting knowledge or reason in order to fit in with a trend or pander to some powerful element of society. Perverting truth in favor of social or political expediency. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged 阿世, perversion, reason, Records of the Grand Historian, science, 儒林, 史記, 曲学
Leave a comment
Nor trying at plying
All the songless birds can fly, though 鳴かず飛ばず (Nakazu tobazu; “Nor crying nor flying”) Definition: Quietly waiting one’s chance. Doing nothing for a long time, but with the specific intention of taking action as soon as the opportunity finally comes. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged biding, 荘王, Records of the Grand Historian, story, waiting, 史記
Leave a comment
Yinstring and Yangtwine
禍福は糾える縄の如し (Kafuku wa azanaeru nawa no gotoshi; “Good and ill fortune are entwined like (the strands of) a rope”) Definition: Good luck and bad luck are intimately and inextricably connected; you can’t have only one or the other. Every cloud … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged classical Japanese grammar, 禍福, 糾える縄, intertwined, Records of the Grand Historian, silver lining, 史記
Leave a comment
War and Weft
合従連衡 ga-.sshou.ren.kou Literally: join – vertical – lead – horizontal Alternately: This compound commonly refers to diplomacy based on calculations of profit and loss; of making and breaking alliances based on the convenience of the moment. Originally, it referred to … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo
Tagged alliances, Chinese history, diplomacy, 連衡, 荀子, Records of the Grand Historian, Warring States, Xun Kuang, 史記, 合従
1 Comment
