Kanji

Those who have visited my web site Japan Mode before may know that I have a feature on it where my team and I convert non-Japanese names into kanji. It’s one of the most popular features on my web site and we receive quite a number of e-mails from viewers requesting to have their names or their family member’s names converted into kanji. The most surprising, yet wonderful one requested us to convert her son’s and daughter’s names into kanji so that she can have them tattooed on her.

When we convert non-Japanese names into kanji, we go through several processes and it takes a bit of time. Most times we start the conversion phonetically, and then semantically. We look through the kanji and choose the ones that look pretty and at the same time create a comprehensive meaning as a complete name. All of us struggle through this process to come up with the best combination possible.

It’s a very careful process to begin with anyway, but when it comes to tattooing, we have to be even more careful cuz it’s something that stays (or, supposedly stays) on that person for his/her whole life, right? I’d have to say I was quite nervous doing these names, but consulted with the client and with great care came up with a couple of combinations.

A few days later, to my great surprise and moreover delight, she sent us a picture of her and the tattoo of her children’s names which we have suggested!!
I knew from the moment I read her first e-mail (request) that this was something big, but when I saw the picture, this great feeling struck through my body.

I realized again that I have gotten engaged with a very important part of her life, and I was deeply moved by it. I also re-felt the attraction of kanji’s meaning and beauty, and I really mean this, we all feel so grateful to her that she decided to use our suggestion as a life-long treasure. Thank you!

Today, I am updating the Japan Mode Kanji with some of the requested names that the clients agreed to have them displayed on the web site. Come have a look! The same name as yours may be on it.

The beauty of the shape, the wonder and fascination of the meanings each kanji holds...
If you are interested in kanji – not only you want your name converted – give us an e-mail anytime :-)