2023 - Year of the Rabbit
According to the 12 year cycle of zodiacal animals, 2023 is the year of the rabbit. Cute rabbits have been popping up everywhere.
Rabbits also appear in some Japanese proverbs, such as the ones below.
脱兎のごとし — Datto no gotoshi. “Like a fleeing rabbit” is a way of describing something extremely quick. It derives originally from advice from the ancient Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu that one should first appear to be delicate like a girl to encourage carelessness, and then act as swiftly as a speeding rabbit before the enemy is ready to respond.
うさぎに祭文 — Usagi ni saimon. In this phrase, saimon are proclamations to the gods, and “to recite saimon to a rabbit,” which cannot understand such matters, means to talk to no purpose.
うさぎの糞 — Usagi no fun. This scatological proverb is based on a “rabbit’s excrement” being expelled in short droppings, thereby referring to an action that is interrupted rather than continuous.
5 comments:
Happy rabbit year!
The cute rabbit in poster four sure looks in a hurry :) Happy New Year!
As you say, there are a lot of rabbits here and there on New Year's Day in Japan this year.🐇
Rabbits remind me of old stories.
“Rabbit and Turtle”
A story about a rabbit and a tortoise competing.
The slow-moving turtle is overwhelmingly at a disadvantage, but the rabbit takes a nap on the way and loses it.
Folk tales teach us that we should never let our guard down.
I love rabbits! And this reminds me to get out my Chinese new year hanging!
I love rabbits, so I'd be excited seeing them pop up everywhere!
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