Yamato nadeshiko

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For other uses, see Nadeshiko (disambiguation).
Dianthus superbus

Yamato nadeshiko (やまとなでしこ or 大和撫子) is a Japanese term meaning the "personification of an idealized Japanese woman."[1]

Name Origin and Connotations[edit]

Yamato (大和) was an ancient name for Japan and, therefore, has nationalistic connotations. (add cite) The name also contains a floral metaphor. The word nadeshiko refers to Dianthus superbus, a frilled pink carnation.[2] The word nadeshiko (撫子) also means beloved or dear child (lit. "child being petted"). The combination of these two meanings indicates a flower of the Japanese nation, that is, a standard of female beauty that is uniquely Japanese.[2]

While the term refers to the Japanese ideals of femininity, possessing grace and beauty, it also describes the Yamato nadeshiko's inner strength.[3] She exhibits delicacy and deference, as well as quiet determination.[4] Both dignified and modest,[5] the Yamato nadeshiko is believed to embody characteristics of delicacy and fragility, as well as elegance and sturdiness.[6] Though outwardly submissive and obedient, she is internally strong.[7] As the Yamato nadeshiko is one of mature character, she has a nurturing yet uncompromising personality.[8]

Modern Use of the Term[edit]

The term Yamato nadeshiko is often used to describe a demure young woman and, in a contemporary context, nostalgically of women with good traits which are perceived as being increasingly rare.[9][10]

Modern Media[edit]

Though Yamato nadeshiko is no longer considered an ideal for women to reach for, it's still referenced in pop culture media such as novels, manga, anime, TV dramas, and movies.[8] It is typically used to refer to female characters that possess traits of maturity, modesty, gentleness, grace, uncompromising determination, while also being nurturing.[3]

The Yamato nadeshiko character type is often portrayed in anime. Attractive due to having a more mature personality than the other characters, she is often slightly older, sometimes even represented as a teacher or a mother. Her appeal lies in her sexual maturity and traditional Japanese virtues of a caring yet subservient nature.[8]

Nadeshiko Japan (なでしこジャパン)[edit]

The official nickname of the Japan women's national football team is Nadeshiko Japan (なでしこジャパン) which was derived from Yamato nadeshiko.[11]

Despite being more successful than their male counterparts, Samurai Blue (サムライ・ブルー), Nadeshiko Japan gets significantly less recognition; instead, the media trivializes their impressive skills and success by emphasizing the femininity of the members of Nadeshiko Japan.[4] For example, although they emerged as champions at the 2011 FIFA World Cup, the team was bombarded with comments about their "femininity" or "lack thereof."[12]

In order to combat the assumed incompatibility of sports and women, in 2004 the Japanese Football Association chose the nickname, Nadeshiko Japan (なでしこジャパン), based on a contest of around 2,700 entries. It was chosen because it embodies femininity and athleticism, features presented in the media as contradictory, as well as a nationalistic identity.[12] The team's decision to keep the name was to promote the "hidden image" of strength and boldness that the Yamato nadeshiko possesses.[7]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Kenkyūsha's New Japanese-English Dictionary (5th edition, 2003)
  2. ^ a b Kakihara, Satoko (2014). "Flowers in Contradiction: Japanese Imperialism and Gender Construction Through Women's Writings, 1895–1945 - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
  3. ^ a b Ashikari, Mikiko (9 December 2010). "The memory of the women's white faces: Japaneseness and the ideal image of women". Japan Forum. 15 (1): 55–79. doi:10.1080/0955580032000077739. ISSN 0955-5803.
  4. ^ a b Kelly, William W. (2017). ""From Gender Binary to Sport Androgyny? Female Athletes in Japan's Modern Sportsworld."" (PDF). Manufacturing Masculinity: The Mangan Oeuvre-Global Reflections on JA Mangan's Studies of Masculinity, Imperialism and Militarism.
  5. ^ 小笠原敬承斎 (2008-06-13). 美人の〈和〉しぐさ: 大和撫子のマナー (in Japanese). PHP研究所.
  6. ^ Becke, Carolin (2022). "Negotiating Gendered Identities Through Dress: Kimono at the Coming-of-age Day in Contemporary Japan" (PDF). University of Sheffield.
  7. ^ a b Company, The Asahi Shimbun. "なでしこと大和撫子 - ことばマガジン：朝日新聞デジタル". 朝日新聞デジタル (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-05-21.
  8. ^ a b c Starr, Rebecca L. (February 2015). "Sweet voice: The role of voice quality in a Japanese feminine style". Language in Society. 44 (1): 1–34. doi:10.1017/S0047404514000724. ISSN 0047-4045.
  9. ^ "大和撫子なんているの？ | 生活・身近な話題". 発言小町 (in Japanese). 2010-03-25. Retrieved 2024-05-29. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  10. ^ Frank, Diane (30 November 2002). Blackberries in the Dreamhouse. Sunstar Publishing (IA). ISBN 1887472681.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  11. ^ Kietlinski, Robin (2011). Japanese Women and Sport. Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 978-1-84966-340-3.
  12. ^ a b Ho, Michelle H. S. (16 December 2013). "Is Nadeshiko Japan "Feminine?" Manufacturing Sport Celebrity and National Identity on Japanese Morning Television". Journal of Sport and Social Issues. 38 (2): 164–183. doi:10.1177/0193723513515891. ISSN 0193-7235.

External links and references[edit]

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