Yamato Nadeshiko

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Yamato Nadeshiko ( Japanese 大 和 撫 子 ) is a name for the classic Japanese ideal of women . It can be characterized as a mix of housewife , geisha and samurai .

meaning

The term does not refer to a specific person, even if it sounds like a normal Japanese name. Rather, it is a combination of the name of the geographical and historical province of Yamato , the nucleus of today's Japanese state, and the type of flower nadeshiko ( 撫 子 , carnation , Dianthus superbus, var. Longicalycinus ), which is a symbol for young women in Japan.

Characteristics in the course of time

Historical interpretation of the symbol since the Edo period

A Yamato Nadeshiko is always pretty, graceful, discreetly dressed and finely made up. Revealing clothing is taboo. Traditional clothing ( kimono ) is not mandatory, but not only desirable on festive occasions. The hair bleaching that is widespread among today's Japanese youth has to be avoided, because a Yamato Nadeshiko should have light skin and black hair.

In terms of character , a Yamato Nadeshiko is strong-willed and can prevail. She endures strokes of fate and psychological or physical pain unmoved. However, it is not independent or self-employed and does not find its fulfillment in working life, but only in marriage to a strong man. She makes all the necessary sacrifices for the welfare and protection of her family and her home.

She subordinates herself unconditionally to her husband, follows him and gives herself to him. During sex, she shows no initiative, is not active and demanding, but at most subtly seductive.

Advancement of understanding today

However, one should not overestimate this stereotype, as for example with the image in the American media, which is characterized by the so-called China Doll . Of course, many other ideals and circumstances as well as the globalization of the media, which also creates a subliminal exchange of values, counteract such historical stereotypes.

At least since the 2011 Women's World Cup , in which the Japanese team with the nickname Nadeshiko Japan surprisingly won the tournament, Yamato Nadeshiko's image of women has been interpreted more confidently and independently in the Japanese media. The images of the combative athletes were decisive in the public perception.

The role of women in Japanese society is often the subject of modern Japanese studies and sociology and, like the term Yamato Nadeshiko, is now often reinterpreted. The essence should be an advantageous, traditional attitude, based on the early Japanese culture of the Yamato period .

Appearance in Art

Yamato Nadeshiko is the dominant character type of Japanese women in film , both in Japanese productions (especially television series) and in Western films such as B. Last Samurai or Shogun .

There is a television series from 2000 called Yamato Nadeshiko and the manga Perfect Girl , which is more of a parody of the cliché.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ W. Donald Burton: Coal-mining women in Japan / heavy burdens. 2014, ISBN 978-0-415-74432-4 .
  2. ↑ Columbus: Carnations, the ball and the beautiful . In: Friday . July 19, 2011, ISSN  0945-2095 ( freitag.de ).
  3. ↑ Ikutarō Shimizu (ed.): Society of Japan / social groups and social process. 1976, ISBN 3-531-09027-5 .
  4. ^ Annual Scientific Conference Individualization in the Japanese Society (1991, Berlin); Japanese-German Center (Berlin) 1992: Annual Scientific Conference on Individualization in Japanese Society / 04. - 06.12 ...
  5. ↑ Florian Coulmas: The Society of Japan / Work, Family and Demographic Crisis. 2007, ISBN 978-3-406-54798-0 .
  6. ↑ Vera Mackie: Feminism in modern Japan / citizenship, embodiment and sexuality. 2003.
  7. ↑ on this especially Nancy R. Rosenberger: Gambling with virtue / Japanese women and the search for self in a changing nation. 2002, ISBN 0-8248-2262-5 .
  8. ↑ Perfect Girl - Tomoko Hayakawa - Egmont Manga. In: manganet.de. Egmont Manga, accessed August 20, 2015 .
  9. ↑ Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge. In: proxer.me. Retrieved August 20, 2015 .