Have you ever wondered why we call the country of the rising sun “Japan” when its residents call it “Nippon” or “Nihon”? It’s a fascinating tale of linguistic evolution, historical encounters, and cultural exchanges that have shaped the way we refer to this beautiful island nation. Understanding the origin of these names not only provides insight into historical interactions but also deepens our appreciation for the rich tapestry of global cultures.
Why Do We Call It Japan and Not Nippon?
The name “Japan” in English is different from its native names “Nihon” or “Nippon”. This is because of history and international influence.
The word “Japan” came from Marco Polo, an explorer from Venice, in the 13th century. He called the country “Zipangu” or “Cipangu”. This probably came from the Malaysian word “Jih-pun”. It means “origin of the sun” and is how “Nippon” sounds in a southern Chinese dialect.
On the other hand, Japanese people call their country “Nihon” or “Nippon”. These names started being used around 700-800 AD. They come from the Chinese characters for “sun” and “origin”. This shows that Japan is to the east of the Asian continent.
The difference between the international and native names of Japan shows how language, history, and culture can interact in complex ways.
Historical Background
People have been very interested in what Japan is called. In Japanese, it’s called “Nihon” or “Nippon”. But in English, it’s called “Japan”.
Old texts had other names for Japan. One was “Oyashima”, which means “mother island”. Another was “Yamato”, which was written with Chinese characters that mean “great” and “wa”.
There’s also proof that Japan had different names in other countries. For example, the Chinese called it “Wakoku”. People aren’t sure where the “wa” in Wakoku comes from. Some think it could come from the Japanese words “waga” (oneself) and “ware” (ourself).
Etymology of “Nippon” and “Nihon”
“Nippon” and “Nihon” come from Chinese characters 日本. “Nichi” (日) means sun, and “hon” (本) means start or base. Together, they mean “the start of the sun.” “Nippon” sounds a bit different from “Nihon”. People use “Nippon” in formal situations, like in official papers. But in daily talk, people usually say “Nihon”.
Western Encounter with Japan
The first time Western people met Japan was important for world history. The first meeting was in 1543. Portuguese sailors António da Mota and Francisco Zeimoto landed on Tanegashima, an island in Japan. They called the country “Cipangu”. This name came from old Chinese stories. This meeting started a lot of changes in Japan’s culture, politics, and economy.
In the 1800s, there were more meetings between Japan and the West. One big event was the Perry Expedition from 1853-54. Commodore Matthew C. Perry led this trip. President Millard Fillmore asked him to start trade with Japan. Perry’s ships arrived at Uraga, near Tokyo Bay, in July 1853. This was a big change for Japan’s relationships with other countries. The Japanese called Perry’s ships kurofune, or “black ships”. This led to the US-Japan Treaty of Peace and Amity in 1854.
Evolution of the Name “Japan”
Many languages call Japan “Japan”, but in Japanese, it’s called “Nihon” or “Nippon”. Both are written with the same Japanese characters, 日本. The first time 日本 was used was in an old Chinese book. It said that in 703, Japanese messengers asked to change their country’s name. People think this change happened between 665 and 703.
During a time in Japan called the Heian period, 大和 was slowly replaced by 日本. At first, people pronounced it “Nippon” using the Chinese way of reading. Then, they said “Nifon”, and now, they say “Nihon”. This shows how the sounds in Japanese have changed over time. In the 1500s in Malacca, Portuguese traders heard the names Jepang, Jipang, and Jepun from Malay and Indonesian people. The first time it was written in English was in 1577, spelled “Giapan”.
Marco Polo’s Influence
Marco Polo was a merchant and adventurer from Venice. He traveled from Europe to Asia from 1271 to 1295. His book, “The Travels of Marco Polo”, gave Europeans their first detailed look at the East. Even though he didn’t say much about Japan, what he did say helped shape how the West saw the country.
Marco Polo called Japan ‘Cipangu’. But he never actually went there. His descriptions showed that Japan was independent and didn’t control other countries. This suggested that people didn’t know much about Japan. It also suggested that Japan didn’t have many cultural ties with other countries. This might be why the West calls the country “Japan” instead of “Nippon” or “Nihon”.
Marco Polo’s influence lasted even after he died. His book was read and used by many explorers, including Christopher Columbus. Columbus even had a copy of “The Travels of Marco Polo” when he sailed to the New World. So, Marco Polo played a big part in how the West named and understood Japan.
Portuguese and Spanish Influence
Portugal and Spain had a big impact on Japan’s history. In 1543, Portuguese sailors António da Mota and Francisco Zeimoto were the first Europeans to visit Japan. They landed on Tanegashima island. This started a time called the Nanban trade era. During this time, Europe and Asia traded a lot and learned about each other’s cultures.
The Portuguese brought guns to Japan. This helped Japan become one country. They also started the port of Nagasaki. This port became an important place for trade. It helped Portugal have a big influence in Japan, especially in Kyushu. The Portuguese acted as middlemen in trade between Asia and other places. They brought many products and parts of their culture to Japan. In return, they took silver and other goods from Japan back to Portugal.
Because Portugal controlled trade with Japan, Spain was also able to have an influence. The meetings between Portugal, Spain, and Japan changed how the West named and understood Japan. They also had a lasting impact on Japan’s culture, politics, and economy.
Dutch and English Influence
After the Portuguese, Dutch and English traders also came to Japan. They kept using the name “Japan”. The Dutch were especially important. They traded a lot with Japan during a time called the Edo period. Their use of “Japan” helped make it the standard name in trade and diplomacy.
The Dutch were the first Europeans to start official trade with Japan in 1609. They made a trading post at Hirado. The Dutch East India Company ran this post. The Dutch traded Asian goods like spices, textiles, porcelain, and silk. After a rebellion in 1637, all Christian countries that helped the rebels were kicked out. This left the Dutch as the only Western trading partner. So, they moved their trading post to Dejima, a man-made island in Nagasaki harbor.
The English started influencing Japan when William Adams, an English sailor and samurai, arrived in 1600. Adams helped start trade between England and Japan. Like the Dutch, the English traded different goods with Japan. This helped Japan learn about Western culture.
Adoption of “Japan” in International Context
The name “Japan” is known all over the world. This happened because of trade, exploration, and the actions of powerful countries. When Western countries became more powerful, their names for other countries spread.
So, the name “Japan” changed and became the name everyone uses. This change was helped by the use of “Japan” in official papers and agreements. This made “Japan” the accepted name in international talks. user Rewrite this sentence so that it is easy for 7th grade students to read and understand. Each sentence should not exceed 20 words, Add more Transition words to suitable sentences naturally, The rewritten paragraph should be at least 150 words:
The term “Japan” is an exonym, used by many languages, while the Japanese refer to their country as “Nihon” or “Nippon”, both written in Japanese using the kanji 日本. The earliest record of 日本 appears in the Chinese Old Book of Tang, noting the change in 703 when Japanese envoys requested that their name be changed1. It is believed that this name change within Japan itself took place sometime between 665 and 703.
During the Heian period, 大和 was gradually replaced by 日本, which was first pronounced with the Chinese reading (on’yomi) Nippon and later as Nifon, and then in modern usage Nihon, reflecting shifts in phonology in Early Modern Japanese.
Cultural and Linguistic Factors
When people speak different languages, they sometimes borrow words from each other. This is called using “loanwords”. This can change how a word is pronounced or spelled. For example, the word “Japan” in Western languages.
When a language borrows a word, it often changes the word to fit its own rules of sound and structure. This is something that happens a lot when languages come into contact. This can make the borrowed word sound and look very different.
But how much a word changes can depend on the word itself. For example, the word “Japan” was easy for Western languages to borrow. It’s a short word, and its sounds fit well with Western languages.
Modern Usage of “Nippon” and “Nihon”
In Japan today, people use two names for their country: “Nippon” and “Nihon”. Each name is used in different situations.
“Nippon” is often used in official situations. This includes government documents, money, and announcements at international sports events. People think “Nippon” gives a feeling of national pride and formality. This might be because it has been used for a long time and sounds more formal.
On the other hand, “Nihon” is the name people usually use in everyday talk and informal situations. This shows that how a word is pronounced can depend on the situation. “Nihon” sounds more casual, so it fits better with casual talk.
