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Tag Archives: 浄瑠璃
Actually, don’t put a lid on it
Keep your mouth open and face the music 臭い物に蓋をする(Kusai mono ni futa wo suru;“To put a lid on something stinky”) Definition: Stopgap measures to hide misdeeds, scandal, or other inconvenient realities. The tactic is temporary, but that doesn’t stop some, … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged a reckoning will not be postponed indefinitely, crime, 臭いもの, 臭い物, 蓋をする, hiding the truth, Iroha karuta, scandal, temporary measures, 双蝶蝶曲輪日記, 浄瑠璃
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What if it’s made of hithlain?
一筋縄では行かない(Hitosuji nawa de wa ikanai;“A single rope won’t do”) Definition: A situation that can’t be handled using the ordinary means, or everyday methods. Especially refers to an enemy or opponent who can’t be overcome with one’s usual techniques or strategies. … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged しめ縄, difficulties, 関取千両幟, Lord of the Rings, normal methods, Shinto, strong opponent, the ropes of Lothlórien, unusual challenge, 浄瑠璃, 一筋縄
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All ties weird and wonderful
A red thread binds them all? 縁は異なもの味なもの (En wa i na mono aji na mono; “A relationship is a strange thing, a wondrous thing”) Definition: The ties that bind two people together are mysterious, inexplicable, and often pleasantly weird. This … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged Chikamatsu Monzaemon, 異なもの, 縁, 近松, fated lovers, Iroha karuta, relationships, romantic destiny, unexpected, 味なもの, 浄瑠璃, 丹波与作待夜の小室節
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In my outrage, I caught dozens of flies
開いた口が塞がらない (Aita kuchi ga fusagaranai; “The open mouth does not close”) Definition: To be in a state of utter shock, especially in response to someone’s condition, attitude, words, or behavior. To be left speechless, with one’s mouth hanging open. Agape … Continue reading
Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza
Tagged astonishment, 赤穂事件, horror, open mouth, shocked, 浄瑠璃
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But does a triple thing happen five times?
1123581321345589? 二度あることは三度ある (Nido aru koto wa sando aru; “Something that happens twice, happens three times”) Definition: Things tend to repeat. If something has happened before, especially more than once, then it should be assumed that it can and will happen … Continue reading