Tag Archives: Iroha karuta

Never trust anything strawberry-flavored

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Confanity

In fact, when in doubt, just go with the most masochistic option available. 良薬は口に苦し (Ryouyaku wa kuchi ni nigashi; “Good medicine is bitter in the mouth”) Definition: Good advice is hard to listen to. The advice that we most desperately … Continue reading →

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They’ll let you have next Tuesday, though

Posted on October 16, 2016 by Confanity

来年の事を言えば鬼が笑う (Rainen no koto wo ieba oni ga warau; “Oni laugh when you talk about next year”) Definition: Nobody can accurately predict the future, so there’s no use in trying to say what’s going to be happening next year. People … Continue reading →

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The problem with oboes

Posted on October 9, 2016 by Confanity

葦の髄から天井を覗く (Yoshi no zui kara tenjou wo nozoku; “To peer at the ceiling through a reed.”) Definition: Forming opinions and making decisions on a topic based on one’s narrow views and pre-formed beliefs rather than any sort of breadth or … Continue reading →

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Juggling for a rainy day

Posted on March 20, 2016 by Confanity

芸は身を助く (Gei wa mi wo tasuku; “An art saves the body”) Definition: Take the time to learn a skill or develop a talent, because the time may come when you’ll need it to make a living. Even hobbies can be … Continue reading →

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On properly protecting your pot

Posted on November 23, 2014 by Confanity

This is not a common or well-known saying by any means, but it tickles my fancy. 月夜に釜を抜かれる (Tsukiyo ni kama wo nukareru; “having your cook-pot stolen on a moonlit night”) Definition: Being caught completely off-guard. Catastrophic negligence, carelessness, or inattention. Breakdown: … Continue reading →

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On how to make a mountain

Posted on September 21, 2014 by Confanity

A variation on a theme: 塵も積もれば山となる (Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru; “Even dust, if it builds up, becomes a mountain”) Definition: Small things, allowed to accumulate, become large. Multiple sources reference the English saying “Many a little makes a … Continue reading →

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