Tamanokoshi vs Tabe nokori
If you don't know what the terms mean, I suggest you read the side note first.
Last wednesday after Japanese class, I had to look to some paper work relating to the JLPT forms after writing out the penalty (writing out each kanji ten times) for getting kanji wrong on the Kanji test. A-sensei was still in class finishing up some work, which is extremely rare. He usually hurries back to his office the minute class is done. I remember being more htan a little surprised at that. suddenly, I remembered that I had a piece of cake that I'd bought from Real Bakery (the one that makes the awesomest wedding cakes in the whole city), and offered it to him through Aly-chan).
A conversation followed betwen them, of which I could catch only a couple of words as I was too busy focusing on the task at hand. The conversation, I believe, was something along these lines. Sensei said, 'I think it would be better to share it with everyone remaining in class'. Aly-chan replied 'Sensei I dislike raisins so you can have it, besides L-chan and I already had cake during the break'. I looked up and nodded. Sensei replied, 'Then I'd like to share it with D-kun and M-kun. He seemed thoughtful for a couple of seconds, then added 'Is this "Tabe nokori"'? Aly-chan shook her head and laughed a no. My head muddled with writing out the kanji, while muttering out its reading, and the JLPT work in the back of my head I'd heard him say "Tamanokoshi". I looked up bewildered, wondering why such a word would come up. A-sensei looked at me and asked me if I understood what the word meant. This time I heard it clearly and was sappari confused. The blank look on my face must've made me look like an idiot but I didn't know how to reply appropriately. I hurriedly nodded a no. Later when I asked Aly-chan about it, she guffawed and said "sensei said 'Tabe nokori' not 'Tamanokoshi'". We giggled about it for quite a while after. I guess a sharp wit requires a little more sleep than I get.
A side note about the terms used.
Tabe nokori is leftover food.
The reason why this didn't register immediately is because in my head the word associated with leftover food is 'Nokorimono'. But language is not rigid, there are as many ways of expression as there are people. Leftovers can make unexpected things happen, this blog entry for one. のこりものにふくあり.
Tamanokoshi is a term used for people that marry into money or status, usually both. It's like the english term 'gold-digger' only (maybe) not so negative. And Tamanokoshi ni noru is to be a gold-digger. Tamanokoshi directly translated means a jewel studded palanquin.
It's a widely accepted theory that the word originated from 'Otamanokata' which is what Keishoin (mother of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi the 5th Tokugawa Shogun) was called before she became a nun. Keishoin was the daughter of a green grocer, who'd entered into service at the Inner Palace (which is where the women lived) and later became the concubine of the 3rd Shogun. She was the power behind many of Tsunayoshi's policies, including the law against harming animals.
And now back to my study of the Battle of Sekigahara.
Random thought ~ It's not self-study vs classroom study but the wholesomeness of self-study backed by classroom study that I aim(crave) for. I just wish my classmates were more interesting. ~sigh~
Last wednesday after Japanese class, I had to look to some paper work relating to the JLPT forms after writing out the penalty (writing out each kanji ten times) for getting kanji wrong on the Kanji test. A-sensei was still in class finishing up some work, which is extremely rare. He usually hurries back to his office the minute class is done. I remember being more htan a little surprised at that. suddenly, I remembered that I had a piece of cake that I'd bought from Real Bakery (the one that makes the awesomest wedding cakes in the whole city), and offered it to him through Aly-chan).
A conversation followed betwen them, of which I could catch only a couple of words as I was too busy focusing on the task at hand. The conversation, I believe, was something along these lines. Sensei said, 'I think it would be better to share it with everyone remaining in class'. Aly-chan replied 'Sensei I dislike raisins so you can have it, besides L-chan and I already had cake during the break'. I looked up and nodded. Sensei replied, 'Then I'd like to share it with D-kun and M-kun. He seemed thoughtful for a couple of seconds, then added 'Is this "Tabe nokori"'? Aly-chan shook her head and laughed a no. My head muddled with writing out the kanji, while muttering out its reading, and the JLPT work in the back of my head I'd heard him say "Tamanokoshi". I looked up bewildered, wondering why such a word would come up. A-sensei looked at me and asked me if I understood what the word meant. This time I heard it clearly and was sappari confused. The blank look on my face must've made me look like an idiot but I didn't know how to reply appropriately. I hurriedly nodded a no. Later when I asked Aly-chan about it, she guffawed and said "sensei said 'Tabe nokori' not 'Tamanokoshi'". We giggled about it for quite a while after. I guess a sharp wit requires a little more sleep than I get.
A side note about the terms used.
Tabe nokori is leftover food.
The reason why this didn't register immediately is because in my head the word associated with leftover food is 'Nokorimono'. But language is not rigid, there are as many ways of expression as there are people. Leftovers can make unexpected things happen, this blog entry for one. のこりものにふくあり.
Tamanokoshi is a term used for people that marry into money or status, usually both. It's like the english term 'gold-digger' only (maybe) not so negative. And Tamanokoshi ni noru is to be a gold-digger. Tamanokoshi directly translated means a jewel studded palanquin.
It's a widely accepted theory that the word originated from 'Otamanokata' which is what Keishoin (mother of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi the 5th Tokugawa Shogun) was called before she became a nun. Keishoin was the daughter of a green grocer, who'd entered into service at the Inner Palace (which is where the women lived) and later became the concubine of the 3rd Shogun. She was the power behind many of Tsunayoshi's policies, including the law against harming animals.
And now back to my study of the Battle of Sekigahara.
Random thought ~ It's not self-study vs classroom study but the wholesomeness of self-study backed by classroom study that I aim(crave) for. I just wish my classmates were more interesting. ~sigh~