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| target: Japanese N5, Slovenian A1, English C1 |
| ♡ Ex-Architecture Student |
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Economy and Thematic Structure: Symphony of the Night's Level Design
[N.B.: This piece was originally featured on Gamasutra. I was inspired to post it here too after watching the Boss Keys YouTube video on Symphony of the Night’s world design and finding the analysis shallow and unoriginal.]
“Why is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night good?” is a question that’s been asked countless times over the years since the game’s release on the PlayStation in 1997. People seem almost desperate to know the answer to this in the wake of similarly modeled but less acclaimed titles such as Aria of Sorrow and Order of Ecclesia. It seems that no matter how many explicative lists are written, Symphony of the Night (hereafter shortened to SotN or Symphony) is representative of an unplaceable magic; thus, its staying power. That’s the typical narrative, anyway. As someone who does think that Symphony is indeed good, I have my own answers – answers that I think stand out from the usual enumerations – to that question. I’ll attempt to lay some of them out here.
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Cherry blossoms are by far the most famous of Japanese flowers. They're also the national flower, and appear on the 100 yen coin.
However, they're not the first spring flower to bloom.
Plum blossom season usually starts earlier than cherry blossom season, with the first blossoms appearing as early as mid-February. So if you're in Japan you may be able to see some now.
Although not as dramatic as the more-famous cherry blossoms, plum blossoms are well-loved for their subtle beauty.
The above image shows how to distinguish them from cherry blossoms (and also peach blossoms).
[Ukiyo-e map], an interactive database showing the real locations behind famous painter Utagawa Hiroshige‘s works (thanks Nautiljon for the discovery!)
Listed on this site are the following series:
One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, like the peaceful garden of Kameido:
Famous Views of the Sixty-odd Provinces, with among others raging Naruto whirpool of Awa:
The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō, my favourite being the Hakone pass:
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Today, something very different! Because I just re-watched The Shining (and Doctor Sleep, for good measure), I thought you should know that Jack Torrance's iconic line, "Here's Johnny!" was translated as "お客様だよ！"
You could back-translate it as "A customer is here," or "The guest has arrived," or maybe even"You've got company" (though that tends to have a different connotation in movie dialogue). Since "Here's Johnny!" was a cultural reference and that couldn't be translated directly anyway, you really have carte blanche, I guess.
客 means customer, client, visitor, or guest. It can be used both in the hospitality industry sense and in the sense of having a guest or visitor at your house. It's read キャク or カク.
様 is used here as a polite or honorific suffix (-さま). It can also mean way, manner (of), or situation. It's usually read さま or ヨウ, but in rare cases might be さん or ショウ.
Putting it together, お客様 【お きゃく さま】 means customer, visitor, or guest. There's also お客さん 【おきゃくさん】, which is a step down in politeness.
Also, on the subject of iconic lines and catchphrases, I saw a subbed episode of Friends a while back, and when Janice said "Oh. My. God," it was translated as "ヤダ！マジ？ウソ～" (roughly, "No way! Seriously? You're kidding!" but very juvenile and girly). Great work, whoever translated that.
This month we are reading The Restaurant of Lost Recipes
From the author of The Kamogawa Food Detectives, prepare for more food-related mysteries! Tucked away down a Kyoto backstreet lies the extraordinary Kamogawa Diner, run by Chef Nagare and his daughter, Koishi. The father-daughter duo have reinvented themselves as “food detectives,” offering a service that goes beyond cooking mouth-watering meals. Through their culinary sleuthing, they revive lost recipes and rekindle forgotten memories.
Join us for this read in Seitokai's Discord!
Feel free to message me or @onigiriforears for information!
30 Of My favorites Compliments in Japanese to Praise Artists and Their Work
I love complimenting artists; I like them to know that their work is always amazing, and I enjoy motivating them. Since I started creating pixel art, I have become very close to Japanese artists and realized that it is much easier to compliment them in Japanese, as it seems to make them feel more comfortable! That’s why I put together a list of compliments! Feel free to use them and correct me!
1. 素晴らしい作品ですね。 (Subarashii sakuhin desu ne.)
“It’s a wonderful piece of work.”
2. とても感動しました。 (Totemo kandō shimashita.)
“I was very moved.”
3. あなたの才能に驚かされます。 (Anata no sainō ni odorokasaremasu.)
“I am amazed by your talent.”
4. 色使いが本当に綺麗ですね。 (Irozukai ga hontō ni kirei desu ne.)
“The use of colors is really beautiful.”
5. 細部まで丁寧に描かれていますね。 (Saibu made teinei ni kakareteimasu ne.)
“The details are drawn so carefully.”
6. ユニークなスタイルですね。 (Yunīku na sutairu desu ne.)
“You have a unique style.”
7. 本当に才能がありますね。 (Hontō ni sainō ga arimasu ne.)
“You truly have talent.”
8. 見ていてとても楽しいです。 (Miteite totemo tanoshii desu.)
“It’s very enjoyable to look at.”
9. 構図が素晴らしいです。 (Kōzu ga subarashii desu.)
“The composition is amazing.”
10. こんな作品を作れるなんて信じられません。 (Konna sakuhin o tsukureru nante shinjiraremasen.)
“I can’t believe you can create such a piece.”
11. とても独創的ですね。 (Totemo dokusōteki desu ne.)
“It’s very creative.”
12. あなたの作品はいつもインスピレーションを与えてくれます。 (Anata no sakuhin wa itsumo insupirēshon o ataete kuremasu.)
“Your work always gives me inspiration.”
13. 表現力が豊かですね。 (Hyōgenryoku ga yutaka desu ne.)
“Your expressive power is remarkable.”
14. 見るたびに新しい発見があります。 (Miru tabi ni atarashī hakken ga arimasu.)
“I discover something new every time I look at it.”
15. あなたの作品には心がこもっていますね。 (Anata no sakuhin ni wa kokoro ga komotteimasu ne.)
“Your work has so much heart in it.”
16. あなたの作品には魂が宿っています。 (Anata no sakuhin ni wa tamashī ga yadotteimasu.)
“Your artwork has a soul in it.”
17. 発想力がすごいですね。 (Hassōryoku ga sugoi desu ne.)
“Your creativity is amazing.”
18. あなたのスタイルはとても独特です。 (Anata no sutairu wa totemo dokutoku desu.)
“Your style is very distinctive.”
19. 作品に強いメッセージ性を感じます。 (Sakuhin ni tsuyoi messe-ji sei o kanjimasu.)
“I feel a strong message in your work.”
20. この作品を見ると、何かを感じずにはいられません。 (Kono sakuhin o miru to, nanika o kanjizu ni wa iraremasen.)
“I can’t help but feel something when I look at this piece.”
21. あなたの作品を見ていると、とても幸せな気持ちになります。 (Anata no sakuhin o miteiru to, totemo shiawase na kimochi ni narimasu.)
“Looking at your work makes me feel very happy.”
22. どの作品も心に響きます。 (Dono sakuhin mo kokoro ni hibikimasu.)
“Every piece of your work resonates with my heart.”
23. この作品の雰囲気がとても好きです。 (Kono sakuhin no fun’iki ga totemo suki desu.)
“I really like the atmosphere of this piece.”
24. あなたのアートはとても洗練されています。 (Anata no āto wa totemo senren sareteimasu.)
“Your art is very refined.”
25. この作品からインスピレーションをたくさんもらいました。 (Kono sakuhin kara insupirēshon o takusan moraimashita.)
“I received a lot of inspiration from this piece.”
26. あなたの技術は素晴らしいです。 (Anata no gijutsu wa subarashii desu.)
“Your technique is superb.”
27. これからの作品も楽しみにしています。 (Korekara no sakuhin mo tanoshimi ni shiteimasu.)
“I’m looking forward to your future works as well.”
28. 色彩の使い方がとても巧みですね。 (Shikisai no tsukaikata ga totemo takumi desu ne.)
“Your use of colors is very skillful.”
29. こんなに素晴らしい作品を見たことがありません。 (Konna ni subarashii sakuhin o mita koto ga arimasen.)
“I’ve never seen such an amazing piece of work.”
30. あなたの描くキャラクターはとても魅力的です。 (Anata no kaku kyarakutā wa totemo miryokuteki desu.)
“The characters you draw are very captivating.”
Some observations made by my Japanese study friends!
1. あなたの作品には魂が宿っています。
This phrase is correct, but it’s quite poetic. If you want a simpler expression:
あなたの作品には力強さを感じます。 (Anata no sakuhin ni wa chikarazuyosa o kanjimasu.)
“I feel strength in your work.”
2. 発想力がすごいですね。
Correct and commonly used.
3. あなたのスタイルはとても独特です。
Correct, but for a softer tone, you could say:
あなたのスタイルはとても個性的ですね。 (Anata no sutairu wa totemo koseiteki desu ne.)
“Your style is very unique and individual.”
4. 作品に強いメッセージ性を感じます。
Correct, but slightly formal. You could also say:
作品から強いメッセージを感じます。 (Sakuhin kara tsuyoi messe-ji o kanjimasu.)
“I feel a strong message from your work.”
5. この作品を見ると、何かを感じずにはいられません。
This phrase is fine, but can be made simpler:
この作品を見ると、心が動かされます。 (Kono sakuhin o miru to, kokoro ga ugokasaremasu.)
“When I look at this piece, my heart is moved.”
6. あなたの作品を見ていると、とても幸せな気持ちになります。
This is correct and conveys the intended meaning well.
7. どの作品も心に響きます。
Correct and natural.
8. この作品の雰囲気がとても好きです。
Correct and natural.
9. あなたのアートはとても洗練されています。
This is fine, but “アート” (āto) is a bit casual. Using 作品 (sakuhin) might be better for a more formal tone:
あなたの作品はとても洗練されています。
10. この作品からインスピレーションをたくさんもらいました。
This is correct. Another way to say it:
この作品にとても刺激を受けました。 (Kono sakuhin ni totemo shigeki o ukemashita.)
“I was very inspired by this piece.”
11. あなたの技術は素晴らしいです。
Correct and natural.
12. これからの作品も楽しみにしています。
Correct and natural.
13. 色彩の使い方がとても巧みですね。
Correct and suitable.
14. こんなに素晴らしい作品を見たことがありません。
Correct, but sounds slightly dramatic. A softer version:
こんな素敵な作品を見たことがないです。 (Konna sutekina sakuhin o mita koto ga nai desu.)
15. あなたの描くキャラクターはとても魅力的です。
Correct, but can be shortened for a more natural tone:
あなたのキャラクターは魅力的ですね。 (Anata no kyarakutā wa miryokuteki desu ne.)
16. あなたの作品には魂が宿っています。 (Anata no sakuhin ni wa tamashī ga yadotteimasu.)
Correct, but it’s quite poetic and intense. A simpler alternative could be:
あなたの作品には強い感情を感じます。 (Anata no sakuhin ni wa tsuyoi kanjō o kanjimasu.)
“I feel strong emotions in your work.”
17. 発想力がすごいですね。 (Hassōryoku ga sugoi desu ne.)
Correct and natural for complimenting creativity.
18. あなたのスタイルはとても独特です。 (Anata no sutairu wa totemo dokutoku desu.)
Correct, but “独特” (dokutoku) can be interpreted neutrally. For a more positive tone, use:
あなたのスタイルはとても個性的です。 (Anata no sutairu wa totemo koseiteki desu.)
“Your style is very unique and individual.”
19. 作品に強いメッセージ性を感じます。 (Sakuhin ni tsuyoi messe-ji sei o kanjimasu.)
Correct, but it can be simplified:
作品から強いメッセージを感じます。 (Sakuhin kara tsuyoi messe-ji o kanjimasu.)
“I feel a strong message from your work.”
20. この作品を見ると、何かを感じずにはいられません。 (Kono sakuhin o miru to, nanika o kanjizu ni wa iraremasen.)
Correct, but it’s a bit formal and literary. A simpler alternative could be:
この作品を見ると、心が動かされます。 (Kono sakuhin o miru to, kokoro ga ugokasaremasu.)
“When I look at this piece, my heart is moved.”
21. あなたの作品を見ていると、とても幸せな気持ちになります。 (Anata no sakuhin o miteiru to, totemo shiawase na kimochi ni narimasu.)
Correct and natural. No adjustments needed.
22. どの作品も心に響きます。 (Dono sakuhin mo kokoro ni hibikimasu.)
Correct and natural.
23. この作品の雰囲気がとても好きです。 (Kono sakuhin no fun’iki ga totemo suki desu.)
Correct and natural.
24. あなたのアートはとても洗練されています。 (Anata no āto wa totemo senren sareteimasu.)
Correct, but the word “アート” (āto) is a bit casual. Using “作品” (sakuhin) might be more appropriate for a formal tone:
あなたの作品はとても洗練されています。
“Your work is very refined.”
25. この作品からインスピレーションをたくさんもらいました。 (Kono sakuhin kara insupirēshon o takusan moraimashita.)
Correct. Another way to say it:
この作品にとても刺激を受けました。 (Kono sakuhin ni totemo shigeki o ukemashita.)
“I was very inspired by this piece.”
26. あなたの技術は素晴らしいです。 (Anata no gijutsu wa subarashii desu.)
Correct and natural.
27. これからの作品も楽しみにしています。 (Korekara no sakuhin mo tanoshimi ni shiteimasu.)
Correct and natural.
28. 色彩の使い方がとても巧みですね。 (Shikisai no tsukaikata ga totemo takumi desu ne.)
Correct and suitable.
29. こんなに素晴らしい作品を見たことがありません。 (Konna ni subarashii sakuhin o mita koto ga arimasen.)
Correct, but it sounds slightly dramatic. A softer version would be:
こんな素敵な作品を見たことがないです。 (Konna sutekina sakuhin o mita koto ga nai desu.)
“I’ve never seen such a wonderful piece.”
30. あなたの描くキャラクターはとても魅力的です。 (Anata no kaku kyarakutā wa totemo miryokuteki desu.)
Correct, but can be shortened for a more natural tone:
あなたのキャラクターは魅力的ですね。 (Anata no kyarakutā wa miryokuteki desu ne.)
“Your characters are captivating.”
This list was quite a bit of work to make, but it was very fun! I would appreciate it if you shared it! Thank yoooooou!
Anya is live and ready to show you everything. Watch her strip, dance, and perform exclusive shows just for you. Interact in real-time and make your fantasies come true.
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書初め (kakizomé) The First Calligraphy of the New Year
New Year's is the biggest festival in Japan. As a time for new beginnings, it is often observed by doing activities "for the first time in the new year".
The first calligraphy of the new year is called 書初め (kakizomé).
書 = writing (as in 書道 - Japanese calligraphy, or "the way of writing")
初 = for the first time, in the beginning (as in my previous post).
The above image is a 書初め (kakizomé) work that I did a while back when I was living in Japan.
Like most 書初め (kakizomé) works, it contains a reference to nature and a hope for the coming year.
The kanji are:
春 = spring
日 = day (or sun)
鳥 = bird
還 = return
飛 = fly
So a loose translation is "In spring days, birds fly back." The birds can refer to hope and good feeling, as well as a sign of spring.
BONUS KATAKANA READING PRACTICE!
If you can read katakana, you can find out my first name. (It's on the left side of the artwork).
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