8 Senryu; 5 Kotowaza (proverbs, idioms);
2 Traffic Mottos & 1 Motto (kokusai hyôgo & hyôgo);
2 'Other' 5-7-5; 2 sayings of Chinese origin.
No haiku were selected.
We hope you enjoy these vibrant Japanese sayings, which reflect aspects of both contemporary and traditional culture. Each presenter will explain the Japanese meaning in English, giving literal and interpretive translations, using the left-side image. The right-side image is used to illustrate personal experience. An English translation of each saying is just above each pair of thumbnails; some translations were condensed to fit, or polished a bit. Reference information as found has been provided by each presenter.
Viewing instructions:
Each presentation is composed of a Windows media (.wmv) video, and is between two and four minutes long. Click on the "presentation" link under the thumbnails to watch. Your Windows media player (or other) should open automatically and play the video.
Click on the thumbnail photos to open the larger images.
[Videos: 320x240 pixels; 1.8-3.4 megs; progressive download]
| First reading the label closely, the medicine's improved effect! | I think of my friend, seeing the moon above the roof. | ||
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| Senryu presentation by Yumiko
Author: unknown Familiarity: uncommon Age: modern meter: 5-7-5 |
Chinese saying, presentation by Aiko
Author: Toho (in "Imi Kara Hiku," 1996) Familiarity: uncommon; H.S. Classical Chinese study Age: Seitou era (713-766) meter: 4-5-4 |
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| Daddy, I don't want any presents, just come back home safely! | Bearing more and more, heads falling down, ears of rice. | ||
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| Kokusai hyôgo presentation by Kotomi
Author: unknown Familiarity: somewhat common Age: recent meter: 5-7-5 |
Kotowaza presentation by Misa
Author: anonymous Familiarity: common Age: recent meter: 5-7-5 |
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| Eyes tell your true feelings better than your words. | A family is in trouble, either saving or spending money! | ||
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| 5-7-5 Saying, presentation by Yasue
Author: anonymous Familiarity: common aphorism Age: probably Edo era meter: 5-7-5 |
Senryu presentation by Yuki
Author: unknown, from "An Undutiful Son," TV comedy Familiarity: uncommon Age: Edo era meter: 5-7-5 |
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| See no evil; hear no evil; speak no evil. | If you can do it, you can do it; if you don't do it, you cannot do it! | ||
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| Kotowaza presentation by Nozomi
Author: unknown Familiarity: common Age: Kamakura era meter: 3-4-4 |
Kotowaza presentation by Azumi
Author: anonymous Familiarity: common Age: old meter: 5-7-5 |
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| A daughter who was said to have looked after her father began to cry. | The specific remedy for a broken heart is a next love. | ||
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| Senryu presentation by Yuki
Author: bijin zuma wo motu otto Familiarity: uncommon age: 1996 meter: 5-7-5 |
Senryu presentation by Tomoko
Author: unknown Familiarity: common Age: recent meter: 5-7-5 |
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| To be at a loss: Iris or Iris. |
I had a big laugh, and tears welled up in my eyes. | ||
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| Kotowaza presentation by Azusa
Author: unknown, from the historical chronicle "Taiheiki" Familiarity: common Age: pub. about 1368; based on a tanka party of MinamotoYorimasa meter: (3-4)-5 |
Senryu presentation by Kusano Author: Hajime Takahashi Familiarity: uncommon Age: 2003 meter: 5-7-5 |
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| A crying crow is already laughing. | We should go to the library for leisure, in order to gather our mind. | ||
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| Kotowaza presentation by Yukako
Author: anonymous Familiarity: common Age: old meter: 7-5 |
Hyôgo presentation by Yuki
Author: anonymous Familiarity: uncommon Age: modern meter: 5-7-5 |
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| What a lucky morning! All the traffic lights are green! | Lose weight! After eating just this--lose weight! | ||
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| Senryu presentation by Reika
Author: unknown, salaryman senryu Familiarity: uncommon Age: 2003 meter: 5-7-5 |
Senryu presentation by Miho
Author: Kurimanjyu no mikoto (pseudonym) Familiarity: uncommon Age: 1990s meter: 5-7-5 |
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| Let's stop; not caring about stoplights; cause of an accident! | A 'parasite person' modestly asks his master for another bowl of rice. | ||
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| Kokusai hyôgo presentation by Ai
Author: unknown Primary-school student, Shizuoka Prefecture Familiarity: common Age: 1999 or 2000 meter: 6-7-5 |
Chinese saying, presentation by Nozomi
Author: unknown Familiarity: common Age: possibly ancient; unsure meter: 5-7-5 |
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| My pet dog is the best listener in my family. | The fox which uses the tiger's power slyly. | ||
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| Senryu presentation by Yukina Author: Kateina Madogiwa Oyazi (pseudonym) Familiarity: uncommon Age: 2002 meter: 5-8-5 |
Chinese saying, presentation by Yuka
Author: unknown Familiarity: common Age: 403-221 BCE (Warring States period) meter: 5-5 |
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Thank you |
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