by NBK Sat Dec 06, 2014 10:56 am
Reinberger wrote: NBK wrote:... In a closed performing arts or religious worlds, it can be very different. ...
That was, what I referred to, when I wrote "...to me it seems that may differ." There is the "usual way", widely used, preferred and preferable, but there are also very "special ways", depending on certain contexts, and used only there.
My point is, that, what certainly might seem odd from a general point of view, might be perfectly suitable in such special environments. To call it "presumptuous or obtuse", or to vilify people that use it
there as "weeaboos", seems to be derogatory and uncalled-for to me. That's, why I think "it depends ...", regarding that matter.
Part of any (if there is any) useful function of this forum is introducing certain aspects of Japanese culture to folks. And I think this is pretty clear, don't want anyone to mistake your limited example as common practice.
(The 'wariin' is a special stamp that shows that a document is genuine by overlapping it with an original, file copy, like below:
Make no mistake about it - I think in most instances if you're clearly not Japanese, you're name is Fred Smith and you show up to a martial arts practice or demo wearing a gi with some contrived kanji name, there will be some folks there that think that 'presumptuous or obtuse'. Or outright weird. It is not derogatory, it is a cultural admonition. (I was at a large year end function last night, a Western [cowboy] themed dinner / dance. Numbers of Japanese in boots and cowboy hats - fun in context, pretty out of place on the subway!)
(but I had to look up weaboo - thanks for the vocabulary lesson! They are out there, I see them come and go....)
Raj Venugopal wrote:My name means "king." The kanji for it is ironically quite unimpressive. Moreover, I suspect having that on my belt would make me an ideal target for an ass whuppin'.
No, I think most Japanese would think you're Chinese. - 王 is simple but impressive once you learn kanji.
(It's also a very common Chinese and Korean family name - Wang and Hwang respectively. Probably several other pronunciations. The family name of Sadaharu Oh, the Japanese baseball legend is 王
Ô.)
Jonesy wrote:The main reasons Japanese judoka have their names embroidered on their judogi and obi are twofold:
1. It is possible to leave your kit at large dojo like the Kodokan - there are drying/hanging rails etc available, so you need to be able to identify yours.
2. So that the teachers know who you are when instructing large groups.
It is a practical thing, not a vanity thing.
For a Westerner, unless you use Romanji, Katakana is the only sensible option for the name.
Check.
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