Yamato Nadeshiko
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese
term meaning "personification of an idealized Japanese woman", "ideal" in the historical context of the patriarchal, traditional culture of Japan
. This floral metaphor, combining Yamato
, an ancient name for Japan and nadeshiko "Dianthus superbus
, Large Pink", or frilled pink carnation, literally translated as "Japanese Dianthus
".
(5th edition, 2003) translates Yamato-nadeshiko: "a Japanese woman (with all the traditional graces); an ideal Japanese woman." Daijirin
(3rd ed., 2006) defines it: "1 ナデシコの別名。2 日本女性の清楚な美しさをほめていう語。", "1. another name for Dianthus superbus. 2. A figure of speech for the beauty of Japanese women who are neat and tidy."
Also known as an ideal Japanese woman per Confucianism
, it revolves around acting for the benefit of the family and following instructions or acting in the best interest of patriarch
al authority figures. Virtues include loyalty, domestic ability, wisdom, and humility.
During World War II
, the idea of Yamato Nadeshiko was influenced by war-time propaganda. A Yamato Nadeshiko should be able to endure all the pain and poverty of life for her husband (a soldier) and the country, and should always be ready to fight with naginata
or take yari
and to be ready to die at any time, for her country or to keep her chastity
, in a similar way to bushido
. However, as opposed to being a particularly feminine characteristic, gyokusai, or to give up life for the war, was a duty expected from all who wished themselves to be considered a Japanese citizen.
Today, in most cases, the term "Yamato nadeshiko" is used in the context of nostalgia
, referring to Japanese women with "good old" traits, perceived as increasingly rare.
Japanese language
is a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
term meaning "personification of an idealized Japanese woman", "ideal" in the historical context of the patriarchal, traditional culture of Japan
Culture of Japan
The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon period to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America...
. This floral metaphor, combining Yamato
Yamato
Yamato was originally the area around today's Sakurai City in Nara Prefecture of Japan. Later the term was used as the name of the province and also as an ancient name of Japan...
, an ancient name for Japan and nadeshiko "Dianthus superbus
Dianthus superbus
Dianthus superbus is a species of Dianthus native to Europe and northern Asia, from northernmost Spain and France north to arctic Norway, and east to Japan; in the south of its range, it occurs at high altitudes, up to 2,400 m....
, Large Pink", or frilled pink carnation, literally translated as "Japanese Dianthus
Dianthus
Dianthus is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, native mainly to Europe and Asia, with a few species extending south to north Africa, and one species in arctic North America. Common names include carnation , pink and sweet William Dianthus is a genus of...
".
Details
Kenkyūsha's New Japanese-English DictionaryKenkyusha's New Japanese-English Dictionary
Since its first publication in 1918, has been the largest and most authoritative Japanese-English dictionary ever published. Translators, scholars, and specialists who use the Japanese language affectionately refer to this dictionary as the "Green Goddess" or because of its distinctive...
(5th edition, 2003) translates Yamato-nadeshiko: "a Japanese woman (with all the traditional graces); an ideal Japanese woman." Daijirin
Daijirin
The is a comprehensive single-volume Japanese dictionary edited by , and first published by in 1988. This title is based upon two early Sanseido dictionaries edited by Shōzaburō Kanazawa , the Jirin and the revised Kōjirin .-History:Sanseido specifically created the Daijirin to compete with...
(3rd ed., 2006) defines it: "1 ナデシコの別名。2 日本女性の清楚な美しさをほめていう語。", "1. another name for Dianthus superbus. 2. A figure of speech for the beauty of Japanese women who are neat and tidy."
Also known as an ideal Japanese woman per Confucianism
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
, it revolves around acting for the benefit of the family and following instructions or acting in the best interest of patriarch
Patriarch
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. The system of such rule of families by senior males is called patriarchy. This is a Greek word, a compound of πατριά , "lineage, descent", esp...
al authority figures. Virtues include loyalty, domestic ability, wisdom, and humility.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the idea of Yamato Nadeshiko was influenced by war-time propaganda. A Yamato Nadeshiko should be able to endure all the pain and poverty of life for her husband (a soldier) and the country, and should always be ready to fight with naginata
Naginata
The naginata is one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades in the form of a pole weapon. Naginata were originally used by the samurai class in feudal Japan, and naginata were also used by ashigaru and sōhei .-Description:A naginata consists of a wooden shaft with a curved...
or take yari
Yari
is the term for one of the traditionally made Japanese blades in the form of a spear, or more specifically, the straight-headed spear...
and to be ready to die at any time, for her country or to keep her chastity
Chastity
Chastity refers to the sexual behavior of a man or woman acceptable to the moral standards and guidelines of a culture, civilization, or religion....
, in a similar way to bushido
Bushido
, meaning "Way of the Warrior-Knight", is a Japanese word which is used to describe a uniquely Japanese code of conduct and a way of the samurai life, loosely analogous to the concept of chivalry. It originates from the samurai moral code and stresses frugality, loyalty, martial arts mastery, and...
. However, as opposed to being a particularly feminine characteristic, gyokusai, or to give up life for the war, was a duty expected from all who wished themselves to be considered a Japanese citizen.
Today, in most cases, the term "Yamato nadeshiko" is used in the context of nostalgia
Nostalgia
The term nostalgia describes a yearning for the past, often in idealized form.The word is a learned formation of a Greek compound, consisting of , meaning "returning home", a Homeric word, and , meaning "pain, ache"...
, referring to Japanese women with "good old" traits, perceived as increasingly rare.
See also
- Yamato-damashiiYamato-damashiiis a historically and culturally loaded word in the Japanese language. The phrase was apparently coined in the Heian period to describe the indigenous Japanese 'spirit' or cultural values as opposed to the cultural values imported into the country through contact with Tang dynasty China. Later, a...
- Girl next doorGirl next doorThe cultural and sexual stereotype of the girl next door or the All-American girl is invoked in American contexts to indicate wholesome, unassuming femininity, as opposed to the culture's other female stereotypes such as the tomboy, the valley girl, the femme fatale, girly girl, or the slut. The...
- Cult of DomesticityCult of DomesticityThe Cult of Domesticity or Cult of True Womanhood was a prevailing value system among the upper and middle classes during the nineteenth century in the United States and Great Britain. Although all women were supposed to emulate this ideal of womanhood, it was assumed that only white women could...
- Good Wife, Wise MotherGood Wife, Wise MotherDerived from an idealized traditional role for women, the ideology of Good Wife, Wise Mother or Wise Wife, Good Mother was coined by Nakamura Masanao in 1875.It represented the ideal for womanhood in the East Asian area like Japan, China and Korea in the late 1880s and early 1900s...
- Molly MormonMolly MormonMolly Mormon is a term for the popular stereotype of a female member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . A Molly Mormon is thought to be the "perfect Mormon woman" - an attractive and chaste woman whose life revolves around the family and marriage and the social demands of...
- The Wallflower (manga)The Wallflower (manga), a.k.a Perfect Girl Evolution, is a manga series written by Tomoko Hayakawa. The individual chapters have been serialized in Bessatsu Friend since its premiere in 2000, and in 27 tankōbon volumes in Japan by Kodansha...