This follows up my post on itsudemo, where I explained why this should be read as “anytime” (as in, “at any time”) from a few points of view. You’ll see why below. It was inspired by a little slice of anime.
The Japanese word “itsu demo” (いつでも) has two very distinct parts. Itsu (何時、いつ) is represented by kanji that literally read, “what time”. Dictionaries say “demo” means but or however, but that is not how it is applied here. Its true secrets lie deeper.
The nagaimo (長芋、ながいも), or Dioscorea opposita, is also known as the Chinese yam or Korean yam. The first kanji is “long”; the second is best read as “yam”. Yams long predated potatoes in Japanese cuisine.
This is too high profile to not post about, so I wanted to pass on that the Emperor of Japan had successful heart bypass surgery in response to a diagnosis of angina. Long story short, it’s a lot better for him that he had this done now than court greater difficulties later. Details can be read at the Japan Times. Original report from the Kyodo news agency. – J
Hilda, Tales of Rebirth
This is an exchange between different characters of the Japan-produced video game, Tales of Rebirth, which sadly never made it to America. These are loose translations I am providing to illustrate the situations, both involving a newly joined party member, Hilda.
First, she is approached by Annie, a teenage healer whose father was a nationally famous doctor.
Annie, Tales of Rebirth, wielding staff
Annie, conversation
Annie: Pardon me, Hilda… how old are you?
Hilda: …Why do you ask?
Annie: I’m sorry if I was impolite…! I was just… curious.
Hilda: I’m 21.
Annie: My, such an adult…
Hilda: And how old are you?
Annie: I am 15.
Hilda: My, still a child.
[Annie makes understated, disagreeable expression]
–
Next, she is approached by Mao (which is, I am told, Chinese for ‘cat’, but Japanese is my third language, not Chinese!). Mao looks and sounds quite a bit younger and is what you might call an androgynous boy full of life.
Mao, Tales of Rebirth
Mao: Um… Hilda, how old are you?
[Hilda makes an unpleasant expression and sound.]
Mao: Did I… say something bad?
Hilda: It is thoroughly bad manners to ask a woman’s age, boy.
Mao: H… hey! Don’t talk to me like I’m a child!
Hilda: That you’re upset only proves that you are one.
–
We have just seen a variety of Japanese (and non-Japanese) social values in action.
Of course, we should not simply ignore the fact Hilda is being mean to both teenagers. She joined the party with no intention of getting touchy-feely with anyone and made no secret of the fact. She has a very troubled background, which I won’t go into great depth here except to say that she is mixed-race in a world with two main races, humans being one. This is an unusual, mature, and deep subject for an RPG to address, and Tales of Rebirth does a marvelous job of it.
So, in spite of these circumstances, Annie’s instinct is to look up to Hilde as a more mature female and someone poised and confident. It is expected that children want to grow up, and that is why they look up to elders.
Mao, on the other hand, hasn’t given two thoughts about “growing up” and is asking what he thinks is an innocent question, but which is contrary to gentlemanly manners – at minimum, in both Japan and in countries of European culture.
We have just seen two examples of how Japanese social interactions happen, both in the setting of social expectations and measuring actual interactions by how they depart from expectations.
In other words, since Annie behaved in line with social expectations for someone of her type, Hilda was being gratuitously mean to her. On the other hand, Mao was engaging in what society regards as bad manners, so Hilda had every social right to give him the verbal smackdown she did; he was in the wrong.
In two short skits, we have learned a great deal about all three characters and where their relationships, such as they are, begin from. – J
Two schoolgirls talking about Sean Penn.Schoolgirl #1: “Sean Penn is so cool!”
Schoolgirl #2: “He sure is!”
Schoolgirl #1: “Sean Penn wa kakkou ii yo ne!”
Schoolgirl #2: “Deshou!”
Therefore, “deshou” is an expression of agreement with another person.
English
Schoolgirl #1: “You really aced that test, didn’t you?”
Schoolgirl #2: “I did, didn’t I?”
Japanese
Schoolgirl #1: “Ano tesuto, daiseikou da yo ne?”
Schoolgirl #2: “Deshou?”
In this case, “deshou?” is used to answer a question with a statement/ question: I agree with that statement, don’t you?
Because English favors the active voice, a translation would probably read like this instead:
Schoolgirl #1: “You really aced that test, huh?”
Schoolgirl #2: “Totally.”
Remember, the “deshou” expresses that Schoolgirl #2 has no doubt, in her own mind, that she did indeed ace that test. Her subjective opinion is strong. This is what should be remembered when converting “deshou” into English. – J
The blog Surviving In Japan has posted a very interesting and potentially useful forecast for cherry blossom (sakura, 桜、さくら) blooming in Japan for 2012, divided by region and location. Watching blooming blossoms is known as hanami (花見、はなみ), or simply “flower viewing” (flower + view).
If you’re visiting Japan in early 2012, you might want to take a look! Excellent work at Surviving In Japan to make this forecast easy on the eyes. – J
Summary: Tasty, but pack your suspension of disbelief and a thick skin with your lunch box.
I was reading up on Japanese Idols, which, believe it or not, isn’t something I normally get into whatsoever. I’ve been focused on other areas and, well, I avoid anything that smacks of obsession like some people have. All things in moderation. Anyway, I had a few thoughts.
The role of the classical idol singer was to present an idealized feminine image, both in a carefully scripted private life and an equally carefully scripted public life. Honestly, the more I read that section, I was thinking back to geisha (who I’ve written about). In other words, you’re being presented with a beautiful girl who you’ll never have for yourself; she’s a fantasy (from your perspective), you know it’s a fantasy (barring serious mental illness), and that’s really OK with you. You’d rather have an element of fantasy in your life than not.
Of course, culture has rapidly evolved since the 70’s (when the idol phenomenon began). What people view as “ideal” has changed a lot and, more to the point, it’s not all one thing. That’s where you have new genres that have sprouted up, with things like rock music and even rap taking important places in music culture.
We shouldn’t look far past the word itself. An idol is something to be put on a pedestal and idolized. It’s not “reality”; it’s art. So long as people accept it as such and ride with it, we’re doing fine. Over that line and we have problems.
Like I put in the title, these are general thoughts. If I have something to say about a specific idol sometime, I’ll let you know, but I’m not the kind of guy who’s an online stalker wannabe, so I’m not a details guy in this area. – J
P.S. I scaled my blogging way back because I was experimenting with writing fiction. While my skill is far from “bad”, there’s still no realistic way I have the time and support network to make money at it, either, so I’m shelving it once again. Expect more blog posts as inspiration and need strikes. My fingers want to write, though. – J
Japan has been known by various names throughout history, mainly corresponding to what we know as “The Land of the Rising Sun” (nihon is composed of “sun” and “origin”, for to China that is where the sun came from). Terms like “Zipang” come from a Chinese pronunciation that wandered through Malaysia on its way to Portuguese traders in the 16th century.
A much more detailed article about all the twists and turns can be found here at Wikipedia, and I have no intention of ripping off the work of other people, so those with an interest, please check it out.
My two encounters with the term Zipang come from two sources: first, an anime (I have not seen the longer and perhaps more famous manga) about a Japanese Self Defense Force warship time warped into WWII and trying not to make an absolute hash of history; and second, as a term known to Portuguese adventurers in the old Koei video game, Uncharted Waters 2: New Horizons. In that game, “Zipang” is a nigh-mythical place that no European has yet reached, one of the world’s remaining mysteries, though by this time (the 1500’s) Marco Polo has visited China.
I’ll have more to say about Uncharted Waters another time, but the game series is known as “Age of Discovery” in Japan and discovery, if I may say so, is a very enjoyable theme. There was a time when Japan was unknown to the West and had to be discovered. I’m sure the makers of games such as this found that aspect quite amusing. – J
