Yamato nadeshiko

Japanese term used to describe an ideal Japanese woman

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]

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.^[8] The nickname was chosen by contest in 2004.^{[citation needed]}

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). 25 March 2010. 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. OCLC 858009884