Tag Archives: sword

The scarecrow’s final blade

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Confanity

紫電一閃 shi.den.i-.ssen Literally: purple – electricity – one – flash Alternately: The light that glints from a sword being brandished. By extension, an extremely short moment of time; a single instant. By extension, a dramatic change that happens in very … Continue reading →

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Like chopping radishes with Excalibur

Posted on June 2, 2019 by Confanity

大根を正宗で切る (Daikon wo Masamune de kiru; “To cut a daikon with a Masamune”) Definition: Overkill. Bringing force, talent, or material to a job or problem far in excess of what is actually needed; often, assigning a task to someone who … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Kotowaza | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Battou-jutsu and the Gordion Knot

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Confanity

一刀両断 i-.ttou.ryou.dan Literally: one – sword – both – sever Alternately: Cutting something in two with a single stroke of the sword (a harder feat than you might think, if you’ve consumed a lot of pop fantasy and never practiced … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

But, what if you have both a sword AND a pen?

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Confanity

A good, balanced approach to life. 文武両道 bun.bu.ryou.dou Literally: sentence/missive/literature – military/warrior – two/both – road/way/teaching Alternately: Both the military and the literary arts. A person who excels at both athletic endeavors (especially, but limited to, martial arts) and scholarship. … Continue reading →

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With single solitary blade, the samurai his entrance made

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Confanity

単刀直入 tan.tou.choku.nyuu Literally: simple/single – sword – direct/frankness/repair – enter Alternately: Charging into a mass of enemies with just one sword to protect you. Getting straight to the point. Being direct instead of roundabout. Saying something point-blank without niceties or … Continue reading →

Posted in Japanese, Yojijukugo | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments