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 Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 10:18 pm
So, I just posted part of a report I did on Japanese Eras, so ninja thought I'd also post a shortened version of my one about the origin of "Japan".
Have you ever wondered why Japan is called "Japan" instead of how natives of the country call it "Nihon" or "Nippon"? Well, the answer to this is a bit unclear. Some believe "Japan" came from the Malaysian "Jipun". Others believe that "Japan" was because of Marco Polo's recording of the Mandarin word for "Nippon" as "Cipangu". The most likely origin of the word came from the Cantonese word for "Nippon" which is "Jatbun". In Malay "Jatbun" became "Japang" which was heard by Portuguese traders, who were probably responsible for bringing the word to Europe, in Malacca during the 16th century. The first recorded English word for "Japan" was in 1577 as "Giapan."
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:22 am
... You know, I never actually thought about it, before. *gapes*
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:47 am
I had heard the Marco Polo thing, but I didn't know Malay's word for Japan was similar to "Japan" rather than "Nihon". Eitherway, it was the European interpretation of a Chinese word (maybe Malaysian) and clearly no one was talking to the actually Japanese people. Though "Japanese" flows better than "Nipponese" in my opinion biggrin .
The way some words are translated baffel me. I have issues with the word "ken" (as in Chiba-ken, Hyogo-ken, etc) being translated into prefecture. How did this happen? Why prefecture and not state or province? People (who aren't studying Japanese) will ask me "what's a prefecture?" and I'll be like "it's kind of like states in Japan." Next Question: "Why is it prefecture and not state then?" Me: "I have no idea!" I wondered if for some reason prefecture was most appropiate, but when I look it up, and see if any other contries have "prefectures" it just seems "prefecture" is a general term for a government area, because it's usually pretty different in different countires.
Also "Shogunate" is a funny word. A Japanese guy (hot one, I may add) asked me what "bakufu" is in English. And I said "It's Shogunate" e just thought that was the funniest word ever, and when I think about it, it is, shogunate, he he.
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 9:53 am
Freakezette I had heard the Marco Polo thing, but I didn't know Malay's word for Japan was similar to "Japan" rather than "Nihon". Eitherway, it was the European interpretation of a Chinese word (maybe Malaysian) and clearly no one was talking to the actually Japanese people. Though "Japanese" flows better than "Nipponese" in my opinion biggrin . The way some words are translated baffel me. I have issues with the word "ken" (as in Chiba-ken, Hyogo-ken, etc) being translated into prefecture. How did this happen? Why prefecture and not state or province? People (who aren't studying Japanese) will ask me "what's a prefecture?" and I'll be like "it's kind of like states in Japan." Next Question: "Why is it prefecture and not state then?" Me: "I have no idea!" I wondered if for some reason prefecture was most appropiate, but when I look it up, and see if any other contries have "prefectures" it just seems "prefecture" is a general term for a government area, because it's usually pretty different in different countires. Also "Shogunate" is a funny word. A Japanese guy (hot one, I may add) asked me what "bakufu" is in English. And I said "It's Shogunate" e just thought that was the funniest word ever, and when I think about it, it is, shogunate, he he. Yeah, that's why I presented it 3nodding Although there's really not much evidence about Marco Polo's version many people still believe it 3nodding You know what? I'm really not sure, but I'll look into it. I relate Japan's prefectures more towards Canada's provinces rather than America's states. I know that historically, regions were referred to by whichever clan were like the lords there. Take that in contrast to how there were 3 countries claiming different regions of America when the colonies first began which were then united and enlarged or created through purchases and etc. etc. I will definitely lok into it 3nodding I really wonder how many Nihonjin there are that don't know what "Japan" or "shogunate" are.
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:14 pm
I learned something new today.
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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:48 pm
Wow I always wanted to know just where "Japan" came from! I had a hard time imagining the Portuguese just making up a name for that land, which I thought maybe they might have done.
Kinda opposite, but when Japanese first received pumpkins in their country, they were told it was from "Cambodia". The Japanese had a hard time pronouncing this word, and eventually it turned into "kabocha"!
Cambodia --> "kambojya" --> "kabocha"
Interesting, huh?
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Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 10:04 am
Wisteria Darling Wow I always wanted to know just where "Japan" came from! I had a hard time imagining the Portuguese just making up a name for that land, which I thought maybe they might have done. Kinda opposite, but when Japanese first received pumpkins in their country, they were told it was from "Cambodia". The Japanese had a hard time pronouncing this word, and eventually it turned into "kabocha"! Cambodia --> "kambojya" --> "kabocha" Interesting, huh? ^_^;; Yeah, I refused to believe that so one day just took the time to research it. surprised Wow, that's really interesting and makes me wonder about other fruits. Thanks.
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Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 9:02 am
i knew about the portugese variation from my mom when i asked her why its nippon/nihon in japan, but japan everywhere else.
jipangu 2 jipangu is a title of an orange range song, too....so thats another reason why i asked.
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Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 8:27 pm
Are you asking why Japan is called japan.
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeell
The Chinese named it nihon literally meaning sun origin. Becuase of how the sun travels, from China it looks liek its coming up from Japan.
This also explains the sunflag.(<- whoa I'm really tired I wrote sun first)
meeeh
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Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 6:00 am
Also beats me how China became, well, China. Does 'Zhongguo' even strike anyone as coming vaguely close to 'China'?
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Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:04 am
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 9:26 am
all that is really interesing... i never really thought as to where the word Japan came from... it's always been japan to me. but now, it's interchangable with Nihon...
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Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 3:52 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:01 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:17 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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