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【No. 2202】Makaizō (魔改造 - Extreme Modification)

Nov 1, 2023 17:04
Makaizō

Japanese people are fond of makaizo (魔改造).

The slang term makaizō refers to the extensive modification of plastic models and toys, especially in cases where the modification deviated significantly from the original purpose or meaning.

Since ma (魔) means "devil," and kaizō (改造) means "modification," makaizō literally means "devilish modification."

There are various kinds of makaizo, such as changing human figurines' legs into wheels to make them movable or installing an electromagnetic acceleration mechanism in a toy that can shoot marbles (known as B-Daman) to make it more powerful.

You can also use the term makaizō for various things, such as food and beverages. Japanese ramen (originated in China) and Japanese curry (originated in India) are typical examples of makaizō.

In addition, the California Roll, a kind of sushi popular in the US, can also be considered as makaizō for Japanese sushi.

【No. 2201】Tarenagashi (垂れ流し - Streaming Continuously)

Oct 31, 2023 17:52
Tarenagashi

I often work while doing tarenagashi (垂れ流し) of YouTube videos or music.

Since tare (垂れ) means "dripping," and nagashi (流し) means "flowing," the literal meaning of tarenagashi is "dripping and flowing."

Originally, tarenagashi referred to the continuous release of undesirable fluids such as wastewater or excrement. However, it can also be used metaphorically to describe the continuous streaming of videos or music.

Currently, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the ONE PIECE anime, all episodes (1081 as of today) are being live-streamed repeatedly.

This streaming started on October 29 and will continue 24/7 for over a year, and I am now doing tarenagashi of this anime.

However, while memorable episodes are streamed, I often find myself pausing my work, reducing my productivity.
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【No. 2200】Itamiwake (痛み分け - Draw)

Oct 30, 2023 17:31
Itamiwake

In disuputes, when both sides suffer the same degree of damage or disadvantage without reaching a resolution, the situation is called itamiwake (痛み分け) in Japanese.

Since itami (痛み) means "pain," and wake (分け) means "to share," the literal meaning of itamiwake is "to share the pain."

Originally, this term was used in sumo wrestling to describe a match ending in a draw due to one or both sides getting injured.

Over time, it has also come to be used in various disputes.

Incidentally, in the game Pokémon, there is a move called itamiwake that calculates the combined HP of both Pokémon and divides it evenly between them.

【No. 2199】Nurugē (ヌルゲー - Easy Video Game)

Oct 29, 2023 16:51
Nurugē

Today, I completed "Super Mario Bros. Wonder."

It was a very rewarding and fun game.

This game provides various features for those who are not good at action games. For example, you can choose invincible characters, equip badges to enhance character abilities and cooperate with players online.

However, relying too much on these features could make this game nurugē (ヌルゲー).

Nurugē is short for nurui gēmu (ぬるいゲーム), the literal meaning of which is a lukewarm game, indicating an easy-to-clear game.

This slang term can be used to describe various easy situations in addition to games.
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【No. 2198】Nani wo ka Iwan ya (何をか言わんや - Having Nothing to Say)

Oct 28, 2023 14:07
Nani wo ka Iwan ya

When you are discouraged about something and have nothing to say, you can use the phrase, nani wo ka iwan ya (何をか言わんや).

Since nani (何) means "what," iwan (言わん) means "to say something," and ya (や) is a particle indicating an irony, the literal meaning of nani wo ka iwan ya is "What should I say? No, I have nothing to say."

Due to its archaic grammatical structure and sound, this phrase can create a more stern and elegant nuance than simply saying something like akireta (呆れた - meaning "I'm disgusted")
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【No. 2197】Akkerakan (あっけらかん - Being Quite Indifferent)

Oct 27, 2023 20:43
Akkerakan

I am sometimes in a state called akkerakan (あっけらかん).

The expression akkerakan describes a state of being so surprised or shocked by unexpected events that one does not move, or being in a daze and unconcerned about anything.

Akke/anke/ake (あっけ/あんけ/あけ) represents the state of having one's mouth wide open.

By adding the suffix ra (ら) to this, it became ankera (あんけら). Furthermore, another suffic kan (かん) was added, resulting in ankerakan (あんけらかん) and akkerakan.

Akkerakan came to have its current meaning from the image of having one's mouth wide open without movement.

【No. 2196】Basashi (馬刺し - Horse Sashimi)

Oct 26, 2023 18:19
Basashi

A few days ago, I had basashi (馬刺し) in Nagano Prefecture.

Since ba (馬) means "horse," and sashi (刺し) means "sashimi (sliced raw meat)," basashi literally means "horse sashimi."

Have you ever had fresh 'basashi'?

Basashi is typically eaten with condiments like ginger and green onions to remove the distinctive smell and dipped in soy sauce, but fresh basashi does not have any bad smell.

In addition, while basashi is low in calories and fat, it is highly nutritious and delicious.

Fresh basashi can only be found in some prefectures such as Kumamoto, Fukushima, and Nagano. If you have a chance, please try to have it.
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【No. 2195】Kōya no Shirobakama (紺屋の白袴 - The Shoemaker's Children Go Barefoor)

Oct 25, 2023 22:27
Kōya no Shirobakama

People who are so busy working on others that they have no time to do their own business are sometimes described as kōya no shirobakama (紺屋の白袴) in Japanese.

Kōya (紺屋) was used in the Edo period to refer to a dyer.

In addition, shiro (白) means "white," and bakama/hakama (袴) is a type of traditional Japanese skirt, so the literal meaning of kōya no shirobakama is "a dyer's white hakama."

In other words, it means that a dyer is so busy dying other people's clothes that they do not even have the time to dye their own hakama.

Please try to use your time not only for others but also for yourself.
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【No. 2194】Gashin Shōtan (臥薪嘗胆 - Struggling against Difficulties)

Oct 24, 2023 22:45
Gashin Shōtan

To endure hardships and continue making efforts to achieve one's goal is called gashin shōtan (臥薪嘗胆).

Gashin (臥薪) means "to sleep on firewood," and shōtan (嘗胆) means "to lick bitter gall," both of which imply to endure hardships.

This four-character idiom originates from a Chinese historical tale and originally meant "to endure hardships willingly never to forget one's desire for revenge."

This is how it came to have its current meaning over time.

It suggests a very long period of hardships and efforts, not a short-term one.
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【No. 2193】Yanagi ni Kaze (柳に風 - Warding Off)

Oct 23, 2023 14:31
Yanagi ni Kaze

People who do not oppose others and smoothly ward things off are sometimes described as yanagi ni kaze (柳に風).


Since yanagi (柳) means "willow," and kaze (風) means "wind," the literal meaning of yanagi ni kaze is "wind against willows."

Willows have long, thin, drooping branches and leaves, and even when a strong wind blows, they sway flexibly and let the wind pass through.

This nature of the willow has given yanagi ni kaze its current meaning.

This idiom is sometimes cited as life's tips for navigating difficulties well.
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【No. 2192】Haisui no Jin (背水の陣 - Burning One's Boats)

Oct 22, 2023 16:51
Haisui no Jin

When one is in a critical situation where they cannot step back and face challenges with a do-or-die resolve, it is described as haisui no jin (背水の陣).

Since hai (背) means "back," sui (水) means "water," and jin (陣) means "formation," the literal meaning of haisui no jin is "formation with one's back to the water."

This idiom originates from a biography contained in Shiki (史記 - "Records of the Grand Historian").

When the warlord Han Xin battled the army of Zhao, he positioned his soldiers with their backs to the river.

By placing them in such a situation where they could not step back, the soldiers fought with determination and won.
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【No. 2191】Business Trip to Nagano

Oct 21, 2023 23:59
Business Trip to Nagano

Today, I went to Nagano City in Nagano Prefecture to present at a conference.

Since it was a day trip, I did not have much time for sightseeing, but I had planned to visit Zenkoji Temple for about an hour before the conference.

However, after arriving at Nagano Station, I accidentally took the wrong bus, and it went in the opposite direction of Zenkoji Temple for a while.

I panicked and got off the bus, running and taking some buses, but when I arrived at the entrance gate of Zenkoji Temple, there was no time left for sightseeing.

From there, I ran for several tens of minutes towards the venue and eventually took a taxi.

I was very exhausted.

Incidentally, the conference presentation ended successfully, and I enjoyed some delicious horse meat dishes in the evening before returning home.
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【No. 2190】Kachū no Kuri wo Hirou (火中の栗を拾う - Taking a Risk for Someone): Part 2

Oct 20, 2023 09:53
Kachū no Kuri wo Hirou: Part 2

Based on the fable "The Monkey and the Cat (Le Singe et le Chat)," the French proverb "tirer les marrons du feu" was born, the literal meaning of which is "to pull someone's chestnuts out of the fire."

While its literal meaning suggests "to take a risk for someone," in France, it seems to be commonly used as a proverb meaning "to benefit from someone's risky work."

Incidentally, this proverb is the origin of the American idiom "a cat's paw," which means "to be used as a tool by someone."

Similarly, in Japan, it became the proverb kachū no kuri wo hirou (火中の栗を拾う). However, it is often used in a positive sense, "to take a risk for someone's benefit," rather than in a negative sense as in foreign countries.
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【No. 2189】Kachū no Kuri wo Hirou (火中の栗を拾う - Taking a Risk for Someone): Part 1

Oct 19, 2023 09:44
Kachū no Kuri wo Hirou: Part 1

Taking risks for someone else, with no benefit to oneself, can be described as kachū no kuri wo hirou (火中の栗を拾う).

Since kachū (火中) means "in the fire," kuri (栗) means "chestnuts," and hirou (拾う) means "to pick up," the literal meaning of kachū no kuri wo hirou is "to pick up chestnuts in the fire."

This proverb originates from the French fable "The Monkey and the Cat (Le singe et le chat)," based on Aesop's Fables.

In the story, a monkey has a cat retrieve chestnuts from the fire while promising to share them, but the monkey eats all the chestnuts, and the cat gets burned.
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【No. 2188】Kyōka Suigetsu (鏡花水月 - Phantom)

Oct 18, 2023 17:25
Kyōka Suigetsu

Beautiful things or phantoms that we can see but cannot touch are sometimes described as kyōka suigetsu (鏡花水月).

Since kyō (鏡) means "mirror," ka (花) means "flower," kyōka (鏡花) means "flowers in a mirror."

In addition, sui (水) means "water," and getsu (月) means "moon," so suigetsu (水月) means "a moon reflected on the water."

As can be seen from their literal meanings, both kyōka and suigetsu are visible but cannot be held in your hands.

This is why the four-character idiom kyōka suigetsu has come to hold its current meaning.
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【No. 2187】Meikyō Shisui (明鏡止水 - Clear and Serene)

Oct 17, 2023 18:09
Meikyō Shisui

When someone's mind is completely free of distraction and is perfectly clear, the state is sometimes described as meikyō shisui (明鏡止水).

Since mei (明) means "clear," and kyō (鏡) means "mirror," meikyō (明鏡) means "a clear and spotless mirror."

In addition, shi (止) means "still," and sui (水) means "water," so shisui (止水) means "water that is still."

Both meikyo and shisui can reflect the shape and form of things as they are, which is why the idiom meikyō shisui has come to be used as a metaphor for a "clear mind."

【No. 2186】Jirihin (ジリ貧 - Gradually Becoming Poor)

Oct 16, 2023 20:09
Jirihin

I could say that I am in a situation described with the term jirihin (ジリ貧).

Jirihin is short for jiri jiri to mazushiku naru (ジリジリと貧しくなる).

Jiri jiri (ジリジリ) is an onomatopoeic word representing something moving slowly and gradually forward or backward, mazushiku/mazushī (貧しく/貧しい) means "poor," and naru (なる) means "to become."

Therefore, the literal meaning of jiri hin is "to become gradually poor."

In addition to its literal meaning, jiri hin can also be used to describe that the situation is gradually getting worse.
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【No. 2185】Ato wa No to Nare Yama to Nare (後は野となれ山となれ - After Me the Deluge)

Oct 15, 2023 14:46
Ato wa No to Nare Yama to Nare

If you think, "as long as I can solve the problem at hand, I don't care about anything else," you can express the feeling with the proverb ato wa no to nare yama to nare (後は野となれ山となれ).

Ato (後) means "after," no (野) means "field," nare (なれ) means "become," and yama (山) means "mountain." Therefore, the literal meaning of this proverb is, "after this, let it become a field or a mountain."

In other words, it means that it does not matter to you whether the place becomes a field or a mountain after you are gone.

This proverb is used to describe an irresponsible or resolute attitude.
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【No. 2184】Garyō Tensei wo Kaku (画竜点睛を欠く - Lacking the Finishing Touch)

Oct 14, 2023 17:42
Garyō Tensei wo Kaku

When the most important part of completing something is missing, you can express the situation with the idiom garyō tensei wo kaku (画竜点睛を欠く).

Garyō (画竜) means "painted dragon," tensei (点睛) means "to draw eyes," and kaku (欠く) means "to miss." Therefore, the literal meaning of garyō tensei wo kaku (画竜点睛を欠く) is "to miss drawing the dragon's eyes."

This idiom originates from the story of the Chinese painter "Zhang Sengyou."

Zhang was commissioned to paint four dragons on the temple wall, and he completed a great painting in three days. However, he did not draw the dragons' eyes, reasoning that the dragons would fly out of the wall.

When people called Zhang a liar, he reluctantly drew the eyes of the two dragons. Then the dragons became real and flew away into the sky.
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【No. 2183】iPhone 15 Pro

Oct 13, 2023 22:08
iPhone 15 Pro

Today, I received the iPhone 15 Pro.

I am excitedly setting it up.

So far, I have used the iPhone in the sequence of 4s, 5, 6, X, Xs, and 12 Pro.

This upgrade to the iPhone 15 Pro is the first time in about three years.

I feel that the appearance of the iPhone used to change almost every year, but I did not notice a significant difference in the design between the iPhone 12 and 15.

However, the battery on my iPhone had deteriorated so much that it could only last three to four hours, which is why I decided to upgrade this time.

(The main factor in the battery degradation is probably a geolocation-based game, "Dragon Quest Walk.")

I have sometimes used Android and Windows Phone.

My favorite was the BlackBerry KEY2, which has a physical keyboard.

I would consider buying a new BlackBerry smartphone when it is released.