Tag Archives: Han shi waizhuan

A shot, but not in the dark

Completely ignoring the phantom dog (Today I got my second covid vaccine! “Injection” in Japanese is 注射, chuusha, so please enjoy this four-character compound containing 射.) 射石飲羽sha.seki.in.u Literally: shoot – stone – drink – feather Alternately: If you throw yourself … Continue reading

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Lose yourself in the public flats

公平無私 kou.hei.mu.shi Literally: public – even – no – private Alternately: Impartial; unprejudiced; unswayed by personal interests. Fair. Notes: This comes from our friend the Han shi waizhuan (Japanese 『韓詩外伝』 = Kanshi gaiden). It also has an expanded Japanese-style reading, … Continue reading

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Not a photographic memory, but a typeset one

博覧強記 haku.ran.kyou.ki Literally: acclaimed – see – strong – scribe Alternately: Widely-read and remembering much. Having a vast supply of knowledge, thanks to extensive study and good recall. Notes: This compound comes to us from the Han shi waizhuan (韓詩外伝, … Continue reading

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Yoko ni nattara?

蟷螂の斧 (Tourou no ono; “The mantis’ axe”) Definition: The weak standing up to the strong, often with the implication that they didn’t really think through how great the difference in strength would be. A praying mantis that senses threat will … Continue reading

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