Seppa-tsumaru

Yesterday, I was in a state of "seppa-tsumatta."

Today, I'd like to talk about the Japanese phrase "seppa-tsumaru."

"Seppa" means thin oval metals that are put on both sides of Japanese sword guards, and .

if seppa get jammed (tsumaru), you can't unsheathe the sword.

If you seppa-tsumaru when you are put on the spot, you will be not able to escape, let alone fight.

Therefore, seppa-tsumaru means something like a state that there is an imminent threat, and you can't do anything against it.

Seppa-tsumaru is translated into "under the gun," "in crunch mode," or "in a pinch" in English.

切羽詰まる

昨日、私は「切羽詰まった」状態でした。

今日は、この「切羽詰まる」という言葉を紹介します。

「切羽」とは、日本刀のつばの両面に添える薄い楕円形の金物で、これが詰まると刀が抜けなくなります。

追い詰められたときに切羽が詰まると、逃げることも刀を抜いて戦うこともできなくなります。

このことから、「切羽詰まる」は「物事がさしせまって為す術がなくなる」というような意味になりました。

英語では "under the gun," "in crunch mode," "in a pinch" などと訳されます。