Tag Archives: 地獄

Skating on thin wood

Posted on May 16, 2021 by Confanity

板子一枚下は地獄(Itago ichimai shita wa jigoku;“One plank below is perdition”) Definition: This sailors’ saying expresses the fact that sailing is a dangerous profession, and warns them to be careful while out on the water. Only a thin bit of wood separates … Continue reading →

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Hearing is dreaming, seeing is believing?

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Confanity

Speech is silver, experience is lead 聞いて極楽見て地獄 (Kiite gokuraku mite jigoku; “Hearing is heaven, seeing is hell”) Definition: When you only hear about something second-hand it may sound amazing, but experiencing it personally is another matter. Use this saying in … Continue reading →

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Voiceless it cries, wingless flutters, toothless bites, mouthless mutters

Posted on March 22, 2015 by Confanity

Intro: A kotowaza from old Buddhist Japan, as relevant as ever in postmodern America. 地獄の沙汰も金次第 (Jigoku no sata mo kane shidai; “Even your sentence in hell depends on money”) Definition: “Money is the best lawyer in hell.” “Money talks.” Everything in the … Continue reading →

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