How Do I Write My Name in Japanese?

Because of the beauty of written Japanese, there are many people who want to know how to write their name in kanji characters. There are different methods to write one’s name in Japanese. Each of the methods use different characters and writing styles.

There are three basic Japanese writing styles including: Kanji, Kana and Romanized Japanese.

If you want to write your name in Japanese, you should search out one of the many resources available to teach you how to translate your name into Japanese characters:

• Instant Translation - Instant translation services such as HowToSay.org are available on the Internet. They have become very popular for those people who are interested in a quick way of translating their name into Japanese.
• ABC to Kanji Converter - This type of a converter is found online and allows a person to spell out their name using the Kanji Japanese writing style. This form of translation does not allow for smooth pronunciation.

• Native Japanese Speaker - Individuals who are interested in spelling their names so that it can be spoken should consult with a native Japanese speaker. A Japanese speaker can assist a person in choosing the correct writing style and characters to effectively write one’s name.

It is very important to remember that the Japanese language is very beautiful but also complex. It will take some time to learn how to correctly translate words, and particularly foreign names, into the correct characters. And, once the correct characters are selected, you will also require some assistance in the correct pronounciation of the translated name.

Writing the Japanese Characters

The physical writing of the Japanese languages requires the use of handwritten characters. The practice of Shodou, also known as calligraphy, enables people to physically write their names by selecting the appropriate characters.

Shodou is broken into three styles which include the square (Kaisho), semi-cursive (Gyousho) and cursive (Sousho). In order to write one’s name a person will need to have four items:

• Fude - brushes
• Sumi - a special charcoal ink
• Suzuri - an ink stone
• Hanshi - rice paper that is used for calligraphy

The writer will rub the suzuri in the ink in order to get it to the right consistency in order to begin writing. Most writers will use a thick brush for larger characters and a thin brush for the smaller characters. The rice paper is preferred because it absorbs the ink without changing the form of the letters as it dries.

Background on Japanese Writing

It is important to understand that different styles of the Japanese writing are used for different words. Kanji are used for nouns and verb stems. The Kana style is used for descriptive words and includes two types:

• Hiragana - Used for native Japanese words for descriptive or pronunciation purposes
• Katakana - Used to describe or pronounce foreign words

In order to write your name it is important to understand that there may not be a direct script that will translate that name. There may be some nuances when comparing the Japanese translation to the original language. This is to be expected and happens in many languages. For best translation results it is always recommended to use the services of a native Japanese speaker.