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Diary

【No. 2049】Tsumi-gē (積みゲー - Stockpiling)

Jun 1, 2023 13:00
Tsumi-gē

Recently, the number of tsumi-gē (積みゲー) in my room has been increasing.

Tsumi-gē is a coined word that combines tsumi/tsumu (積み/積む - meaning "to be piled") and gē (ゲー - meaning "game"), referring to games that you have bought but not played and are piled up.

As you become an adult, you have more money but less time and energy to play games, so the tsumi-gē phenomenon is more likely to occur.

Incidentally, books that you have bought but not read are called tsun-doku (積ん読).

Here, doku (読) means "reading," and tsun-doku is a wordplay that implies the phrase tsunde oku/tsundoku (積んでおく/積んどく - meaning "I pile up something").
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【No. 2042】Gaden Insui (我田引水 - Self-serving)

May 25, 2023 22:02
Gaden Insui

The action of trying to make things happen to one's own advantage is called gaden insui (我田引水) in Japanese.

Since ga (我) means "my," den (田) means "field," in (引) means
"to draw," and sui (水) means "water," the literal meaning of this four-character idiom is "to draw water to my own field."

Imagine the selfish act of drawing water only to your own field while ignoring other people's fields. That is gaden insui.

Such a selfishness act can also be described as temae gatte (手前勝手) or jibun katte (自分勝手).
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【No. 2035】Suzume Hyaku Made Odori Wasurezu (雀百まで踊り忘れず - What Is Learned in the Cradle Is Carried to the Tomb)

May 18, 2023 09:26
Suzume Hyaku Made Odori Wasurezu

It is difficult to break bad habits acquired in childhood, even as one grows older.

The proverb, suzume hyaku made odori wasurezu (雀百まで踊り忘れず), can describe such a situation.

Since suzume (雀) means "sparrow," hyaku (百) means "hundred," made (まで) means "until," odori (踊り) means "dance," wasure/wasureru (忘れ/忘れる) means "to forget," and zu (ず) is a negative suffix, the literal meaning of this proverb is "sparrows never forget to dance until they are a hundred years old."

When sparrows move on the ground, they jump in small steps as if dancing.

From the fact that the sparrows' dance-like gait does not change throughout their lifetime, this proverb was born, comparing "dance-like gait" to "bad habit."
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【No. 2033】Moving to HiNative

May 16, 2023 12:00
Moving to HiNative

For more than six years, Lang-8 has stopped accepting registrations from new users.

Around the same time, a similar service called HiNative was launched, and people were directed there, but I stayed here because HiNative didn't have long text posting and correction functions like on Lang-8.

However, a few days ago, my friend who read my entries told me it was no longer readable.

Lang-8 used to allow everyone to view entries by setting their publication range, but it seems that the setting no longer works.

Registrations from new users and updates have stopped, and the number of active users is decreasing; it seems to be getting worse and worse.

On the other hand, HiNative came to have long text posting and correction functions, although it seemed to require some charge.

I am now considering moving to HiNative and posting entries there.

The following is my HiNative profile page.

https://ja.hinative.com/profiles/20278

【No. 2021】Yon-koma Manga (4コマ漫画 - Four-frame Manga)

May 4, 2023 19:22
Yon-koma Manga

I have recently begun drawing yon-koma manga (4コマ漫画).

Since yon means "four," koma (コマ) means "frame," and manga (漫画) means "manga/comic," yon-koma manga literally means "four-frame manga/comic."

The content of the manga is a brief introduction to an article that I submitted to Lang-8.

In the manga world, some characters such as Chikuwa-kun (ちくわ君), a chipmunk, Omochi-kun (おもち君), a rabbit are featured.

I learned that it takes a lot of time and effort to make a manga, even though it is only four frames.

I will do my best to submit yon-koma manga, on Twitter from now on, so please check them if you have time.

https://twitter.com/kanotown

【No. 1993】Ichibō Senri (一望千里 - Boundless Expanse)

Apr 6, 2023 21:30
Ichibō Senri

Today I went to an onsen and took an open-air bath offering a view of the Pacific Ocean that fills your field of vision.

This scenic view can be described as ichibō senri (一望千里).

Since ichi (一) means "one" and bō (望) means "to look into the distance," ichibō (一望) means "to look out over a wide landscape with a single view."

In addition, sen (千) means "thousand," and ri (里) is the old Japanese unit of distance, which is about 4 km. The literal meaning of senri (千里) is "four thousand kilometers," but it can also be used as a metaphor for a very long distance.

That is to say, ichibō senri means a good view of the landscape where you can see very wide and far distances with a single view.

It was night, but the sea breeze was pleasant, and the full moon was so beautiful that I felt happy!

【No. 1988】Kadode (門出 - New Chapter)

Apr 1, 2023 08:49
It's been a very long time since my last post.

Today is my new kadode (門出).

Kado (門) means "gate" and 'de'(出) means "to leave." Since kadode symbolizes leaving the gate of one's own house, it means a "day of departure" or "beginning of a new life."

Kadode is often used for graduation, employment, or marriage, and is frequently referred to as atarashii kadode (新しい門出) or aratana kadode (新たな門出) with the adjective atarashii/aratana (新たな - meaning "new").

Starting this April, I am changing jobs and beginning work as an associate professor at a new university.

I am very excited to finally have my own research lab, which has been a long-held dream of mine.

I will also resume my English studies from now on.

【No. 1987】1987

Oct 4, 2021 21:57
1987

This is my 1987th post on Lang-8.

And, I was born in 1987.

Today, I would like to share with you some of major events in Japan in 1987.

･NTT released the first cell phone for the general public in Japan.

･The first Japanese female AIDS patient was confirmed.

･Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Limited made a successful bid of 22.5 million pounds (about 5.3 billion yen) for "Sunflowers" by Van Gogh.

･Capcom Co., Ltd. released the NES software "Mega Man."

･Square Co., Ltd. released the NES software "Final Fantasy."

･Konami Holdings Corporation released the MSX2 software "Metal Gear."

Incidentally, the NES software "Super Mario Bros." and "Dragon Quest" were released in 1985 and 1986, respectively.

【No. 1984】Torikoshi Kurō (取り越し苦労 - Worrying about Nothing)

Oct 1, 2021 19:48
Torikoshi Kurō

I got the second vaccine of COVID-19 today.

It is said that there are strong vaccine adverse reactions, so I am very worried about that.

However, there may not be any adverse reactions.

As in this situation, concerning unnecessarily about something that no one knows what will happen is called torikoshi kurō (取り越し苦労) in Japanese.

Since torikoshi (取り越し) means "bringing forward something" and kuro (苦労) means "trouble," torikoshi kurō literally means "bringing forward trouble."

This phrase can be translated into English as "worrying about nothing."
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【No. 1966】Ishi ni Futon wa Kiserarezu (石に布団は着せられず - When One Would Be Filial, One's Parents Are Gone)

Sep 13, 2021 16:40
Ishi ni Futon wa Kiserarezu

There is the Japanese proverb, ishi ni futon wa kiserarezu (石に布団は着せられず).

Since ishi (石) means "stone," futon (布団) means "comforter," and kakerarezu (かけられず) means "can't put on," the literal meaning of ishi ni futon wa kiserarezu means "you can't put a comforter on a stone."

Here, "stone" specifically means "gravestone."

There is no point in putting a comforter on parents' gravestones.

This proverb says that you should always be filial to your parents.
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【No. 1962】Poster Presentation using Virbela

Sep 9, 2021 21:17
Poster Presentation using Virbela

Today, we held a poster presentation for about 100 students at our university using Virbela, a service that enables communication in VR (Virtual Reality) space.

The preparation and management were very tough for me, and some minor problems occurred, but we managed to finish this event successfully.

I believe that compared to cases using Zoom, the communication and discussion among students became more active.

In the future, it is expected that the demand for similar services will increase and continue to increase and the market will develop.

We must continue to study every day to keep up with this rapidly changing world.

【No. 1802】Bon Misu (凡ミス - Careless Mistake)

Apr 2, 2021 17:44
Bon Misu

I made a bon misu (凡ミス) of deleting my post today.

Since bon (凡) means "ordinary" or "common," and misu (ミス) comes from the English term "mistake," the literal meaning of bon misu is "common mistake."

However, the actual meanin of bon misu is closer to "careless mistake" than to "common mistake."

"Careless mistake" can be translated into Japanese as kearesu misu (ケアレスミス) or ukkari misu (うっかりミス) instead of bon misu.

In my opinion, bon misu has the most stupid nuance among the above translations.

【No. 1792】Catalog Gift

Mar 23, 2021 19:44
Catalog Gift

Today, I received a "catalog gift" as a commemorative gift from a student who graduated from university.

I am very pleased about it.

A catalog gift is a kind of gift in which the receiver can choose his/her favorite items from a catalog listing various products.

That is to say, I have a catalog now.

When I choose one of them then post an application card, the gift will be delivered to me.

In Japan, there have been many troubles related to gift-giving since long ago.

To solve such troubles, catalog gifts have been commonly used since the 1980s.
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【No. 1787】Limited Graduation Ceremony

Mar 18, 2021 16:58
Limited Graduation Ceremony

Today, my university held a graduation ceremony at Nippon Budokan with restricted admission.

No graduates' families were allowed to attend, and only graduates and faculty members were able to attend.

Participation is not mandatory, and some graduates and faculty members were absent.

Although it was a limited graduation ceremony, I felt that it was a big change compared to the graduation ceremony last year that was canceled due to COVID-19.

Of course, attendees were required to go home promptly after the graduation ceremony.

I hope that we will be able to hold a thank-you party or a graduation party next year.

【No. 1785】Takara no Mochigusare (宝の持ち腐れ - Better Spent Than Spared)

Mar 16, 2021 10:56
Takara no Mochigusare

I splashed out and bought a new car about a year ago.

However, COVID-19 has become pandemic since immediately after that, so I could rarely use the car.

I think that I have used my new car only about 10 times in the past year.

Such a situation can be described as takara no motigusare (宝の持ち腐れ).

Since takar (宝) means "treasure," mochi (持ち) means "have," and gusare/kusare (腐れ) means "rot," so takara no motigusare means "The treasure you have is rotting."

It implies that if one does not use something useful or talented that the one has, it will be a waste.
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【No. 1780】First International Conference in a While

Mar 11, 2021 14:37
First International Conference in a While

Today, I participated in an international conference and made a presentation in English for the first time in about two years.

It was an online conference using Zoom, but I was very nervous. In particular, the problem was the question and answer session after my presentation.

I was not confident that I could answer English questions immediately and well.

Since the first question was simple, I managed to answer it.

However, I could not understand the intent of the second question.

Eventually, I had no idea what to say, and barely said "umm, it's a difficult question for me...," then the questioner said something like "okay" and the session was over.

I must study harder.

【No. 1777】International Women's Day

Mar 8, 2021 11:13
International Women's Day

Today, March 8 is International Women's Day.

The United Nations has designated March 8 as International Women's Day since 1987, and various events have been held in the world.

However, I heard the news that a Swedish ambassador to Japan said that he does not like this day.

According to the news, he said "It is strange to celebrate only this day as Women's Day," "Why can we celebrate even though we are in an unequal state," and "Every day should be a day of gender equality."

Indeed, I think that that is right.

On this day, it is perhaps better to think and discuss gender equality than to celebrate.

【No. 1775】Kagishippo (かぎしっぽ - Kinked Tail)

Mar 6, 2021 22:07
Kagishippo

There are many stray cats living around my apartment.

Around noon today, a stray cat that crossed in front of me had kagisippo (かぎしっぽ).

Kagi (かぎ) means "key," shippo (しっぽ) means "tail," and kagishippo (かぎしっぽ) is a term for representing a tail of a cat bent like a key.

A cat's tail is commonly composed of 18 to 20 coccygeal vertebrae, and it becomes kagishippo when a part of the coccygeal vertebrae deforms or fuses.

Cats with kagishippo have been believed to protect property in Japan and China, and they have been cherished as auspicious cats.

Also in European countries, it seems that such cats are treated as auspicious cats.

【No. 1771】Daitai (代替 - Alternative)

Mar 2, 2021 09:45
Daitai

Yesterday, I was working all day and could not write a post on Lang-8.

My daily English learning goal on Lang-8 is to write more than 100 words.

In my work yesterday, I wrote over 1000 English words, so I would like to regard this task as daitai (代替) of yesterday's learning goal.

Since the kanji 替 is often used in the readings of kae (かえ) or gae (がえ), I feel that many Japanese people mistakenly read 代替 as daigae.

To tell you the truth, the reading daigae is listed in Japanese dictionaries as a special reading, but it is not a normative one.

【No. 1768】Iki wo Nomu Utsukushisa (息を呑む美しさ - Breathtaking Beauty)

Feb 26, 2021 17:29
Iki wo Nomu Utsukushisa

Lately, I work while seeing natural landscape videos on a display installed at the back of my desk.

I played a Russian landscape video today.

The beautiful scene was played continuously, but the scenery of jewel-like ice (probably Lake Bikal) was breathtaking.

In the last Japanese sentence, I added iki wo nomu (息を呑む) before utukushisa (美しさ), meaning "beauty."

Iki (息) means "breath" and nomu (呑む) means "to drink/swallow."

That is to say, iki wo nomu implies that you are so surprised that you hold your breath for a moment, and it can emphasize adjectives.

Today's work did not go well very much because I was fascinated by the video.