| SHŌGUN: A Novel of Japan James Clavell New York: Dell, November 1986 (© 1975 James Clavell) |
Rating: 5.0 High |
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| ISBN-13 978-0-440-17800-2 | ||||
| ISBN 0-440-17800-2 | 1152pp. | SC | $7.99 | |
Gomen nasai, nipon go ga hanase-masen. Tsuyaku ga imasu ka?
Truly a riveting novel, Shogun seamlessly interweaves vivid characters and complex intrigues with the real history of the medieval world. The feudal rulers of Japan at this time (A.D. 1600) do not understand the power and resources of the Catholic faith, or know that its Pope has partitioned the globe between Spain and Portugal in order to end their dispute. As a result of this politically-motivated division, Portugal has Papally authorized jurisdiction over Japan, in order that its priests may spread the word of God to the heathen — a fact that does not please its contending daimyos,1 or warlords, once they learn of it from the shipwrecked English pilot John Blackthorne.
At some point, Mariko explains to Blackthorne that Japanese does not distinguish between singular and plural by adding "s" or another ending like European languages do.
The Implements of Pleasure — the hiro-gumbi and the others — are described on pages 660-664. These words are left as an exercise for the reader.
Although male samurai by tradition do not care about money except as an inducement to underlings, the Japanese culture places great importance upon it. Servants must be paid, tools and supplies must be bought. This duty falls to the wife or housekeeper. The coin called a koban equals three koku, a ration of rice that can feed a family for a substantial time.
Kinjuru! |
| Do you understand? | Wakaremasu ka? |
| I understand. (Yes, I understand.) |
Wakaremasu. (Hai, wakaremasu.) |
| I don't understand. | Wakaremasen. |
| Yes. | Hai. |
| No. | Iye. |
| Hurry! | Isogi! |
| Forbidden! | Kinjiru! |
| Stop! | Ugoku na! |
| I understand. (Yes, I understand.) |
Wakaremasu. (Hai, wakaremasu.) |
| Good morning. / Good day. | Ohayo. |
| Good evening. | Konbanwa. |
| How are you? (Are you well?) | Konnichi wa? |
| I'm fine. | ? |
| What is your name? / How are you called? | Namae watashi wa? |
| Please. (a request) | Dozo. |
| Thank you. | Domo. |
| Thank you very much. (Feminine form) |
Domo arigato. (Domo arigato goziemashita.) |
| I'm sorry. | Gomen nasai. |
| I don't speak Japanese. | Nihon go ga hanase-masen. |
| Do you have an interpreter? | Tsuyaku ga imasu ka? |
| Please wait. | Dozo ga matsu. |
| True / truth. | Honto. |
| Patience. | Matsu. |
| lord / lords | daimyo |
| wife / wives | tsuma |
| woman | onna |
| Stop! | Ugoku na! |
| Door (the sliding door in a Japanese house) | Shoji |
| How are you? | Ikaga desu ka? (523) |
| I'm well / very well. | Okagasama de genki desu. (523) |
| And you? | Anata wa? (523) |
| Did you sleep well? | Anata wa yoku nemutta ka? |
| I slept very well. | Watashi wa yoku nemutta. (523)1 |
| Good! / Very good! | Yoi! Taihenyoi!2 |
| I don't understand exactly but don't worry. | Hakkiri wakaranu ga shinpai surukotowanai. (581) |
| What is it? / What's going on? | Nan ja? (580 and later) |
| Nothing important. | Nane mo |
| I'm sorry. | Sumimasen. (622) |
| Don't worry. | Shinpai suruna. (609) |
| Don't worry. | Shinpai suru monojanai. (615) |
| Please sit down. | Dozo suwaru. |
| Friend | Tomodashi |
| It can't be helped. | Shigata ga nai. (581 and later) |
| Left (direction) | Hidari. (569) |
| Welcome to my house. | Yokoso oide kudasareta. (562) |
| I don't know the words. | Kotaba shirimasen. (555) |
| It was nothing. Duty, eh?. | Nané mo. Hombun, neh? (619) |
| Owe / owes | Karite iru (630) |
| Pretty / comely | Kawaii (635)3 |
| Mariko's much prettier than old Mr. Tsukku, isn't she, and so much more fragrant? | Mariko-san kawaii desu yori Tsukku-san anamsu ka nori masen, neh? (635) |
| Pirates / corsairs | Wako (635) |
| Mother | Haha-san or Oba-san (654) |
| Stepmother / foster parent | Mama-san (654) |
| The implements of pleasure... | (662-664) |
| Seaworthy | Sonkei su beki umi (815) |
| Wait for me please. | Matte kurasai. (821) |
| Favor (noun) | O-negai (837) |
| Remember | Omoi dasu (837) |
| Return favor, remember? | Mondoso o-negai. Omi desu ka? (837)4 |
| Isn't it [like] magic? | Majutsu desu ka? (837) |
| fish from north | kurima-ebi (855) |
| I accept you, Uraga-san. | Ukeru anatawa desu, Uraga-san. (878) |
| Slow down! | Yukkuri sei! (896) |
| I'm hungry. | Watashi tabetai desu. (1059) |
| Delicious! | Bimi desu! (1060) |
| Soul | Hara (1100) |
| Harmony | Wa (450) |
| Pull! | Hipparu! (1138) |
| Watch! | Miru! (524) |
| Prophet | Bonze (522) |
| A type of fish | Sabazuki (306) |
| Let's go! (?) | Ikimasho! (525) |
| You sleep now. | Anatawa suimin ima. (574) |
| I'm going for a swim. | Watashi oguyo ima. (574) |
| Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so. | Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I really think so. |
| Those dung-eaters aren't worthy to carry his sword! | ?! |
| The child sees the officer and kills the officer. | Kakh shtovoth togat!5 |
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