Japanese Qoutes / Proverbs 2 日本語の諺

Dragon flies pass by
Before a sun soaked stone
No, now perched upon

僕の日本人の友達のためにこのポスットで日本語を使っている。　　京都のぎおんで湖の写真を写してん。　　都をどり間写真を撮ってん。　

今日のポスットは日本語の諺です。　　僕の作る本はめっちゃふういやから、　僕の諺も古いと思います!　　でも、　一生懸命にできる。　　僕の作る本はDaniel Buchanan, ｛Japanese Proverbs and Sayings」, University of Oklahoma Press, 1965.　

日本の諺とアメリカの諺はトテモ違うと思います。　　日本の諺とアメリカとどちらが元面白いかな。　時々英語の翻訳をちょっと変．　でも　強くできました。　　作る本の作家は翻訳をしてん。　　でも、今、彼の翻訳はちょっと可笑しいやねん。　楽しんでください。　

So for today's post I am revisiting some Japanese Proverbs. My wife purchased a great book for me while in her home town. (Which is totally inaka 田舎). So I was surprised to find this book, which I have never seen in any other book stores. The book, "Japanese Proverbs and Sayings", covers
a ton of Japanese Proverbs. Something I had been looking for for a long time.

Some of the author's translations and 'English equivalents' are a bit dated. Without changing the original intent too much I will attempt to modernize the translations.

This photo was taken in Gion during the spring Cherry Blossom Festival. The pink latterns and signs are all advertising the Miyako odori. Literally Capital Dances. These are the Geisha and Maiko dances of Gion.

Please enjoy the proverbs, and I promise more coming. Of course, I want to make sure Daniel Buchanan, ｛Japanese Proverbs and Sayings」, University of Oklahoma Press, 1965.　gets all the deserving credit, (page numbers included.)

-Koi no ikusa wa shudan wo erabasu ー　こいのいくさはしゅだんをえらばず

All's fair in love and war.(13)

This one is very famous;

-Kiyomizu no butai kara tobi-orareta ya　－　清水寺のぶたいからとびおったよ。

The saying describes taking a big risk. It is the opposite of "look before you leap". Kiyomizu is built on a hillside. There is a large stage built on an impressive scaffolding. Imagine leaping into thin air 4 or five stories up without bothering to look and you get the picture. Look for a post on Kiyomizu in the future. (86)

-Bara ni toge ari ー　薔薇に棘あり

Every rose has it:s thorn (37)

-Korobanu saki no tsue ー　ころばぬさきのつえ

Be prepared. (literally before you fall use a staff) (39)

-Kaze fuke domo yama wa ugokasu ー　風邪ふけども山は動かす
　
This one is right out of Mulan.... No matter how much the wind howls the mountain will not bow to it.

-Kuchi wa toji, me wa ake ー 口は閉じ、目は開け

This is one I didn't learn until it was too late! Mouth shut, eyes open.

-Atatte kudakero ーあたってくだけろ

This one is interesting, it literally means, to dash against it and be smashed. A battle cry against immeasurable odds. (50)

-Taorete nochi yamu ー　倒れて後止む

I like this one. Literally it means, "stop after falling". But it would translate to, "fight to the bitter end" or "Never give up". I like it!(51)

So check out the book. It is easy to browse and find very interesting quotes / proverbs. One of my favorite things is seeing how similar English and Japanese proverbs are. -Of course there are plenty that are quite 'out there' as it were.

All photo's, original works, and comments are my personal property. Please be respectful of the effort I've taken.

Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.