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| ⚫ | :''This article is about the Japanese word kawaii |
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| ⚫ | '''Kawaii''' (可愛い) (pronounced /{{IPA|ka.w̜a.ii}}/) is a ] |
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| {{disputed}} | |||
| ⚫ | ==The word and its usage== | ||
| ⚫ | :''This article is about the Japanese word kawaii. For the mascot of the same name see ]'' | ||
| ]''.]] | |||
| ]'' |
], from ], described as ''kawaii'' and displaying typical ] style features]] | ||
| ]ic personalities. ], from '']'', is a good example.]] | |||
| The ] writing of ''Kawaii'' (可愛い) literally means "adorable", though the word is probably derived from the old Japanese word ''kafo-fayusi'', meaning "to ]". | |||
| ⚫ | '''Kawaii''' (可愛い) (pronounced /{{IPA|ka.w̜a.ii}}/) is a ] ] which translates to ] or ''adorable''. | ||
| The term is subjective and as such it can be used to describe anything an individual considers cute which can include attractive women. However young men are more likely to be described as ''kakko-ii'', meaning "good looking" or "cool" although Kawaii can be used to describe men who are considered to have "cute" personalities. | |||
| ⚫ | ==The word and its usage== | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| The kanji for the word 可愛い are ], reflecting meaning rather than sound. The characters 可愛 carry the meaning of "lovable" (as in Chinese, ]: ''kě'ài''), though the word ''kawaii'' is a derivitive of the ] word ''kawai'' which had a slightly darker meaning of "pitiful" or "helpless". | |||
| ⚫ | Cute items described as ''kawaii'' are extremely popular in Japan. The two largest manufacturers of such merchandise are ] (manufacturers of "]") and San-X{{fact}}. This character merchandise popular in Japan and around the world. | ||
| The proliferation of mechandise regarded as kawaii is considered by some to be an expression of a female-led youth movement. Some critics argue it creates an obsession with youth and cuteness instead of appreciating mature beauty. Some think it also contributes to the acceptance of ] ]. | |||
| The term 可愛 (]:可爱) is also widely used in ], used in its original meaning. In Mandarin reading, this would be (]) kě'ài. (Note that the Chinese term 可愛 (adorable) ''does not'' derive from the Japanese term.) | |||
| ==Fashion== | |||
| ''Kawaii'' can be also used to describe ]s. For example a fashion which is characterized by clothing that appears to be made for young children, typically featuring the liberal use of ruffles and shades of ], may be considered ''kawaii''. Accessories often include toys or bags that have representations of cartoon characters on them. | |||
| ==Handwriting== | ==Handwriting== | ||
| A modified style of writing generally practiced by young teenage girls aiming at appearing "cute" began increasing in popularity in the 1980s and is characterized by stylised, or often rounded, child-like characters. The popularity of cartoon and ] designs also developed along with this. | |||
| When the kawaii 'craze' began to develop in ] during the 1970s, a fad for writing notes and letters in rounded, childish characters began to catch on among teenaged girls. This style of penmanship was dubbed '''Anomalous Female Teenage Handwriting''' by ], during his two year study of handwriting in Japan (between 1984 and 1986). | |||
| Previously Japanese writing had been written vertically using strokes that vary in thickness along their length. The new style was written laterally, preferably using a ] to produce very fine, even lines. The new writing used extremely stylised, rounded characters with ] characters, ], and ] pictures such as hearts, stars, and faces inserted into the text. The new style of handwriting was distinct. | |||
| ==Appearances in other cultures== | ==Appearances in other cultures== | ||
| The word ''kawaii'' is often used among fans of Japanese pop culture. ]'s "]" video shows the singer taking a picture of her ] entourage, and describes them as "super kawaii"<!-- she pronounces SUPER in English-->. | |||
| According to a list compiled by current and former students at ] |
According to compiled by current and former students at ], ''kawaii'' is an English ]. | ||
| {{Japan-stub}} | |||
| {{culture-stub}} | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| *] | *] | ||
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| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| ''Cute but Deadly: Women and Violence in Japanese Comics'' Kanako SHIOKAWA, Bowling Green State University Popular Press, ] | ''Cute but Deadly: Women and Violence in Japanese Comics'' Kanako SHIOKAWA, Bowling Green State University Popular Press, ] | ||
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- This article is about the Japanese word kawaii. For the mascot of the same name see Kat Desktop Search Environment
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Kawaii (可愛い) (pronounced /ka.w̜a.ii/) is a Japanese adjective which translates to cute or adorable.
The word and its usage
The kanji for the word 可愛い are ateji, reflecting meaning rather than sound. The characters 可愛 carry the meaning of "lovable" (as in Chinese, py: kě'ài), though the word kawaii is a derivitive of the Heian period word kawai which had a slightly darker meaning of "pitiful" or "helpless".
Cute items described as kawaii are extremely popular in Japan. The two largest manufacturers of such merchandise are Sanrio (manufacturers of "Hello Kitty") and San-X. This character merchandise popular in Japan and around the world.
Handwriting
A modified style of writing generally practiced by young teenage girls aiming at appearing "cute" began increasing in popularity in the 1980s and is characterized by stylised, or often rounded, child-like characters. The popularity of cartoon and ASCII art designs also developed along with this.
Appearances in other cultures
The word kawaii is often used among fans of Japanese pop culture. Gwen Stefani's "Hollaback Girl" video shows the singer taking a picture of her Harajuku Girls entourage, and describes them as "super kawaii".
According to a list compiled by current and former students at Rice University, kawaii is an English neologism.
See also
External links
- Sociologist Sharon Kinsella's analysis of the origins of kawaii
- December 1999 Wired article on "Cute Inc."
- All Things Kawaii, a web site dedicated to everything cute.
References
Cute but Deadly: Women and Violence in Japanese Comics Kanako SHIOKAWA, Bowling Green State University Popular Press, 1999
Categories: