Yamato nadeshiko
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] or "the epitome of pure, feminine beauty"; poised, decorous, kind, gentle, graceful, humble, patient, virtuous, respectful, benevolent, honest, charitable, faithful.[2] It is a floral metaphor,[3] combining the words Yamato, an ancient name for Japan, and nadeshiko, a delicate frilled pink carnation called Dianthus superbus, whose kanji translate into English as "caressable child".[4][5]
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.[6][7] However, Nadeshiko Japan is also widely used as the name for the Japanese national women's football team.[8]
See also
- Marianismo
- Cult of Domesticity
- English rose (epithet)
- Gentlewoman
- Good Wife, Wise Mother
- Ideal womanhood
- Eternal feminine
- María Clara
- Seven Heavenly Virtues
- Yamato-damashii
References
- ^ Kenkyūsha's New Japanese-English Dictionary (5th edition, 2003)
- ^ Yang Ch'ien-ho and the Work of Writing Modern Selfhood. Satoko Kakihara1 University of California, San Diego
- ^ "Contesting the Nation through a Genealogy of Girl Consciousness", Barbara Hartley, School of Asian Studies, University of Auckland
- ^ Koujien, Iwanamishoten, all editions—entry for なでしこ
- ^ Kanjigen, Gakken, all editions—entries for 撫, 子
- ^ "大和撫子なんているの？ | 生活・身近な話題". 発言小町 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-10-20.
- ^ Blackberries in the Dream House by Diane Frank. 1st World Publishing, 2003
- ^ Japanese Women and Sport: Beyond Baseball and Sumo by Robin Kietlinski, A&C Black, 1 December 2011.