trivia | KansaiChick

Kanji Shirt Meaning: What Does My Shirt Say?

12/13/2020Japanese Kanji BlogNo Comments

Kanji shirts look cool! Some people buy it only for the look without knowing what it says. It's tough indeed for foreigners to figure out what the Japanese kanji word means when they find one on the shirt. If you want to know what it says, just ask me KansaiChick!(*'▽')☆ What does my kanji shirt say? I just got this shirt recently for my birthday. OK, let me see....(＠_＠)))) OMG, it says 野蛮人! Σ(･ω･ﾉ)ﾉ！ This word is mainly considered a negative term that was born from prejudice against foreigners. Barbarians such as pirates and bandits can be called 野蛮人(yaban-jin), but in the olden days, Japanese people called foreigners that way,…

Before Getting A Tattoo: Let’s Choose the Right Kanji! 4

11/04/2020Japanese Kanji BlogNo Comments

The people, who are good at observing, often notice the small differences between the same kanji symbols. Especially when you are getting a tattoo, you may want to know why there are the differences. Today I'll share a question from a follower like this. I want to get "Lone Wolf" in Japanese kanji tattooed but I see two different versions that are extremely similar. Can you help me and let me know which one is accurate? I see!　They are written in the 2 different fonts. Both of them are fine! If I would get the tattoo, I'll pick B though. Because it looks more proper for me, and I like…

Is This Word Japanese? What Does It Mean?

10/04/2020Japanese Kanji BlogNo Comments

Do you know Japanese "Romaji"? Romaji is the pronunciation of Japanese characters written in the alphabet. Japanese people use "Romaji" when they want to write Japanese words in alphabet. However, when Japanese words are written using the alphabet, it might be tough for you to tell if they are Japanese words or not. I received a question from a follower like this. Is "IBARRA" or "IBARA" Japanese name? If so, what does it mean? OK, leave it to me! (*'▽')☆ First of all, there is no Japanese word "Ibarra", but "Ibara" makes sense! Ibara can be written in Japanese like:いばら, イバラ, 棘, 茨, 荊. Basically all of them mean "Thorn".…

Before Getting A Tattoo: Let’s Choose the Right Kanji!

09/24/2020Japanese Kanji BlogNo Comments

Hello, Kanji tattoo fans! We can check meanings of kanji online today, but it's tough to choose the right one from dictionary. Plus, the sample designs online often have wrong translations. ((+_+)) Please be careful! Today, I'll answer the question about a tattoo! (*'▽')☆ The kanji is supposed to go on a wrist and be a reminder of "kindness" or to be kind to others. I have a few variations I found that have to do with "kindness". Which are here: Thank you for contacting KansaiChick! OK, let me see...the top kanji 恩(on) means more like "the kindness that you received from others". Then, the second one 恵(megumi) contains meanings…

I Want to Have a Japanese Kanji Pseudonym

08/13/2020Japanese Kanji BlogNo Comments

Making up an original Japanese name is very difficult. Does it sound natural enough as a "Japanese name"? Don't the kanji symbols that I choose contain weird meanings? How do I know!?　o(>_<)o Hmmm, it's tough for me to answer everyone's individual questions about creating their own names, but KansaiChick is here for help today! I hope this post will help everyone, who wants a Japanese name, get some understanding of the thought process you can follow to create a Japanese name. I was thinking up of a name of a Japanese pseudonym of mine as "a lazy little pig" or build a pun around it. Would you help me? Thank…

How to Read the Kanji on a Souvenir from Japan 1

06/26/2020Japanese Kanji BlogNo Comments

Japan is one of the attractive travel destinations. But it's very tough to read the Japanese kanji on the souvenirs from the trip! (+_+) So, KansaiChick is here for help! (*'▽')/ These two pictures are the front and the back of one envelope. What do the kanji letters mean? I got it from a friend who doesn't know what it is. My assumption is that is from a temple and maybe it's used as a package for an omamori. OK! As you say, this is the envelope from the temple. At the temples and shrines, anybody can receive the amulets and the other items, for the votive money. They use…

Meanings of the 9 Armors Spirits for “Ronin Warriors”

03/11/2020Japanese Kanji BlogNo Comments

In Japan, kanji are sometimes used as the symbols of virtues. 武士道(Bushido) for Samurai is very well-known one. And I received a question about the virtues in the Anime show today! I'm watching "Ronin Warriors (鎧伝サムライトルーパー)". Is this English dub accurate? 仁, 義, 礼, 智, 信, 忠, 孝, 悌, 忍 virtue, justice, trust, wisdom, life, loyalty, piety, obedience, and serenity Hmmmm, unfortunately, they don't seem to be accurate. First of all, I searched the same episode in the original language, Japanese, and I found out that they said nothing in that part. (+_+) Yeah...Japanese people enjoy the silence a lot. There were no words but the slow music and the…

Does My Signature Look Like a Japanese Kanji?

12/21/2019Japanese Kanji BlogNo Comments

Today I received a very different question from a follower. This is my signature(artist logo) I always write on my artwork. I think it looks like a Kanji. Do you know if there is a Kanji similar to this? She explained about her logo: The top of the image is the letter "K" for my first name, turned sideways. Underneath is the "T" from my last name. It also forms the letter "A" which represents my maiden name. Oh, that's awesome!(*'▽')　And...OK, I see why you think it looks like a kanji. I can show a kanji character luckily! This Kanji Looks Similar to That Logo If I add one line…

Meanings of Kanji on A Katana Sword 3

12/15/2019Japanese Kanji BlogNo Comments

Hi there, Samurai fans! I received another question about the engraving on an old katana sword!Σ(･ω･ﾉ)ﾉ KansaiChick is here for help!(*'▽')/ I'd like to find out what the markings on the blade mean. Let me see...oh, thank goodness, this one is clear enough for me to read everything!! It says, "相州住盛重". How to Read Engravings on Samurai Swords Japanese people call this engravings 銘(mei). Usually the blacksmiths engrave their name, plus their brand name (faction / location). Sometimes we find the first owner's name of the sword there as well. So, which is which? Ummm, that is the historian's job to determine. However, even I can tell you one idea…

Meanings of Kanji on the Katana Sword 2

10/26/2019Japanese Kanji BlogNo Comments

Hello again Kanji Fans! I received another interesting question from a follower! It's about a Samurai sword! I bought this short sword and I see some letters on the blade. What do they mean? Woooo, you got a fancy one. According to the ratio, I can tell it's a Tantou (短刀). Tantou is a short katana sword with the less than 30 cm (about 1 foot) blade. In Japan, Katana swords bust be sold with a certificate describing what it is. But the owner says this one came with nothing. Let me take a close look. (@_@) Wow, to be honest, I have no idea what it says. I can't…