Trivia for the Day: The name of Japan!
By Cruz
@Tierkreisze (1609)
Philippines
June 6, 2017 4:34pm CST
In Japan, the people there don't call their country Japan. Instead, they call it "Nihon" or "Nippon". It is spelled with the Japanese Kanji "Nichi" which means sun or light, and "Hon" which means origin. Thus, it means the origin of the sun. It was named so because from China, the sun rises from Japan.
6 people like this
6 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
6 Jun 17
Nice. It is good to learn this about Japan.
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
6 Jun 17
@Tierkreisze It is the land of the rising sun yes? And the flag has the sun? No? I seem to remember the flag with the rays coming out.
1 person likes this
@Tierkreisze (1609)
• Philippines
6 Jun 17
@TiarasOceanView Haha yes, it is called the Land of the Rising Sun. Also, their flag has a red sun on a white background, but it doesn't have any rays.
1 person likes this
@dramagirl26 (3259)
• Ringgold, Virginia
6 Jun 17
I didn't know that about Japan, but it's interesting to hear.
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@Tierkreisze (1609)
• Philippines
7 Jun 17
I'm glad that you're interested in Japan's, I mean Nihon's name
@kucing123 (81)
• Jakarta, Indonesia
27 Jun 20
Interesting fact @tierkreisze! Thank you,
It happens not only in Japan, Koreans and Chinese people also don't call their respective country as we do.
Koreans call their country "Daehanmingug", Chinese call Korea "Hanguo" while Japanese call Korea "Kankoku", both Chinese "hanguo" and Japanese "kankoku" use the same kanji.
In the other hand, Chinese call Japan "Riben" using the same Kanji as Japanese "Nihon", Koreans call Japan "ilbon"
Now about China, Chinese people call their homeland "Zhongguo" while Japanese call China "Chugoku" both use the same kanji, while Koreans say "Jung-gug" to refer China.
Maybe it's because of historical reason so that they have their own names to refer those 3 countries
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@Tierkreisze (1609)
• Philippines
28 Jun 20
Wow, I never knew what they called each other until now. Although I do understand that these three countries were frequently at war with each other in the past. Particularly with Japan since they were able to capture both countries before.
In fact, the Japanese had been at war with Korea even before the split before North and South. The good news, though, is that they are now at peace and meet each other every year or so in a trilateral summit to discuss future plans and strengthen their diplomatic bonds.
@Tierkreisze (1609)
• Philippines
28 Jun 20
Thanks! I know that its an old post, but I think it would be nice to continue the "Trivia for the Day" series again.
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