>am
>
> I wonder If you can help me, or point me in the right direction. I
> a novelist, and am trying to find a suitable name (forename andthat
> surname) for one of my characters, who is Japanese.
>
> This person is descended from a famous samurai, with a first name
> has some reference to the meaning of one or more of the following:to
> truth, honour, honesty, virtue, loyal, impeccable.
>
> I cannot use Makoto for the forename. I would prefer the forename
> be easily shortened according to English principles (i.e. "Tad" forI
> Tadaka), and I would like the surname to be connected to any
> well-known samurai family or clan in Japanese history, preferably
> someone heroic. Ideally in the Shimazu family, but not necessarily.
>
>
> If you can be of any assistance I would be incredibly grateful. If
> choose a name that is given to me, I will acknowledge the personin my
> 'thank you' section in the book.You can't shorted Japanese names "according to English principles"
>
> I do not read or speak Japanese.
>am
>
> I wonder If you can help me, or point me in the right direction. I
> a novelist, and am trying to find a suitable name (forename andthat
> surname) for one of my characters, who is Japanese.
>
> This person is descended from a famous samurai, with a first name
> has some reference to the meaning of one or more of the following:to
> truth, honour, honesty, virtue, loyal, impeccable.
>
> I cannot use Makoto for the forename. I would prefer the forename
> be easily shortened according to English principles (i.e. "Tad" forI
> Tadaka), and I would like the surname to be connected to any
> well-known samurai family or clan in Japanese history, preferably
> someone heroic. Ideally in the Shimazu family, but not necessarily.
>
>
> If you can be of any assistance I would be incredibly grateful. If
> choose a name that is given to me, I will acknowledge the personin my
> 'thank you' section in the book.You can't shorted Japanese names "according to English principles"
>
> I do not read or speak Japanese.
> This person is descended from a famous samurai, withDoes this mean that your character is in the present
> a first name that
> has some reference to the meaning of one or more of
> the following:
> truth, honour, honesty, virtue, loyal, impeccable.
> I cannot use Makoto for the forename.Why not? Knowing why not might help us suggest an
> the forename toAs Kitsuno said, the Japanese don't shorten their
> be easily shortened according to English principles
> (i.e. "Tad" for
> Tadaka),
> connected to anyIn the Shimazu family? Then you've got your
> well-known samurai family or clan in Japanese
> history, preferably
> someone heroic. Ideally in the Shimazu family, but
> not necessarily.
> I do not read or speak Japanese.Happy to help--but I'm not going to just throw random
> Ken?Ce--
>
>
> cepo
> Does this mean that your character is in the presentYes.
> time?
> > I cannot use Makoto for the forename.I would be liable for libel :-) Need I say more?
> Why not? Knowing why not might help us suggest an
> alternative.
> As Kitsuno said, the Japanese don't shorten theirYes, he interacts with non-Japanese speakers for the
> names according to "English" principles. If you are
> having him interact with non-Japanese characters for
> the most part, then I can see them giving him an
> "English" nickname, like the example you use above.\
> "Daisuke" and make it "Dice" (kinda cool),Yes, very cool!
> > Does this mean that your character is in theOkay--names today are a little different than they
> present
> > time?
>
> Yes.
> > > I cannot use Makoto for the forename.Um...yeah. If I used the name "Jim" in a story, that
>
>
> > Why not? Knowing why not might help us suggest an
> > alternative.
>
> I would be liable for libel :-) Need I say more?
> Yes, he interacts with non-Japanese speakers for theCanadian-born Japanese, not Japanese-born Japanese.
> most part. And I have to say my personal experience
> is
> that many Japanese names are shortened according to
> English principles. My experience being with several
> Canadian born Japanese( with Japanese names,
> shortened. Tad was one of them).
> > "Daisuke" and make it "Dice" (kinda cool),大助 "Great Help"--could almost be
>
> Yes, very cool!
>
> What I need to know is what Daisuke means! Is it a
> surname or forename?
> Helly Angel said:高木：Tall Tree. Not sure what
>
> I recommended you the surename: Takagi and as the
> name:
>
> Jintaro
> Jutaro
> Jingoro
>
> all "sound" good to me, but again I need to know why
> Takagi - what is the history here?
>
> And what the forenames he suggested actually mean.
> Another person reccomended Reiichi as being礼一 Hmmm..."Respectful First" (It
> "Trustworthy first son". Is this correct?
> Um...yeah. If I used the name "Jim" in a story, thatThe character in the novel is based very closely on a
> doesn't mean anyone named Jim would be suing me if
> they didn't like what I wrote. So yes, you need to
> say
> more for me to understand why you can't use it.
> Though
> Canadian-born Japanese, not Japanese-born Japanese.Well, as I said, the character (and the story) are
> "Tad" isn't pronounceable to a native Japanese
> speaker--the only final consonant in Japanese is
> "N",
> so Tad would come out "Taddo". But, if he's being
> given the nickname by non-Japanese, then it would
> follow their patterns, not Japanese ones. Assuming
> the
> American/Canadian/whatever in your story are the
> ones
> giving him the nickname, this should be fine.