Thinking about the meaning of words between Japanese and English, one can point out some Japanese words, which can be clearly expressed in English or can find exact English words carrying same meanings. A Japanese word, "Ai" is one of them. "Ai" carries exactly same meaning of English word "Love". "Ai" has the identical sound and meaning as Chinese "Ai". Another example of a word, which has almost exactly same meaning between Japanese and English, is "Sei", English meaning "Sacred" or "Spiritual. There are many Japanese words English can express in a simple way of 1 or 2 words.
On the other hands, there are some Japanese words, which cannot be clearly expressed in English. Japanese language has a word "Gi". Turning to Japanese English dictionary, meaning in English were "Justice", "Righteousness", "Meaning". None of them seems exactly right meaning of "Gi". It contains more broad or universal meaning of natural or even spiritual. It is something universally right, and nobody can deny. It almost includes God's will or faith to Him.
Another example is "Shi" or "Kokorozashi". Same Dictionary shows some English words, such as "Ambition", "Aspiration", or "Dream". All are correct, but not enough to describe this Japanese word "Shi". It has broader, more powerful, stronger, more profound meaning in it. A Japanese interpreter will be able to explain them in English taking 5-10 minutes, but he would not be able to find simple 1 or 2 English word with the same meaning.
"Bushido" is almost an English word. It is the Samurai spirit. The closest English word of Bushido is "Chivalry". They carry a lot of same meanings. Warriors must be loyal to their masters. They must be faithful to their families. They must be obedient to their parents and seniors. They must be brave. They must train themselves on Martial Arts. They must be spiritual. Bushido, however, does not talk about how to deal with ladies. Bushido does not teach Samurai about Christianity. They are very close, but still they have different historical background, in this sense.
"Gi" is one of fundamental principle of Bushido. It was one local ruler in 16th Century in Japan, who established the meaning of "Gi" to be the foundation for strategy, faith, living, or decision-making.
Let us examine an expression taking this "Gi" as its part. "Gi-Ri" means "Social Obligation or Duty". It is socially requested action or reaction which one needs to accept as a matter of course. "Gi" is usually positioned to be in the opposite side of human emotion or passion. This is the cause that puzzles non-Japanese people since this both edge sword concept of "Gi-Ri" and human emotion "Nin-Jo" makes Japanese looks like carrying 2 sided personality or emotion.
"Jin-Gi" contains multiple meanings in Japanese stemming out of "Gi". It means "Universal Unchangeable Righteousness or Justice" at the same time "Being Reasonable, Courteous, and Gentle". "Jin-Gi" is also "La Cosa Nostra" for Japanese mobsters. If the boss tells it is "Jin-Gi", members became quiet.
"Gi-Shi" is "A Person with Ambition". It does not apply to the people whose ambition is self-centered, even their dream is big. It refers to the people whose dream is sacrificing them to help or rescue people, society, government, or nation.
It is intriguing to understand background history from words, which we use today.
Shaw Funami is an owner of "zhen international, inc.", known as a mentor for cross cultural relationship called "Fill the Missing Link". You can learn about his profile in Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/shaw.funami. Please feel free to contact him at "hisashi.funami@zhenintl.ws or visit his business website. http://webtraffictoolbox.com/
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