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Original poster

Please translate before she gets tattoed...

284 replies

Itgetsthehoseagain · 31/07/2021 18:28

Posting on AIBU because I know the traffic is good and I'm not sure where else to post Confused
DD's intentions are to get the attached characters tattooed. I don't have a problem at all with the tattoo - she just wants to be absolutely sure that her choice isn't going to cause problems.
We have no idea what the characters mean, but we do know that they are from the Gorillaz (band) "Dare" artwork. I think that they might be Japanese, but they are horizontal rather than vertical so I'm wondering if it's the artist's interpretation of Japanese characters. I can't find much online at all.
Could anybody translate, please? Flowers in advance for thanks!

Please translate before she gets tattoed...
OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
Kanaloa · 01/08/2021 20:45

@CloseYourEyesAndSee

Cultural appropriation is defined as “the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption of the customs, practices, ideas, etc. of one people or society by members of another and typically more dominant people or society.”

While it is more of an issue when it is done by a more dominant culture with a history of colonialism or similar, it’s still an issue to ignorantly use parts of any culture when you have absolutely no understanding of that culture. It reduces the Japanese culture to cool neon characters and an anime character by the name of ‘noodles’ and shows no respect to the culture, history, and language that is being used.

EdgeOfACoin · 01/08/2021 20:47

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

I'd say at best that JK Rowling has been somewhat misguided/clumsy in her comments. And, no, I'm not a dickhead.
I find it difficult to believe that someone could read JKR's long and nuanced essay and describe her comments as 'clumsy'.

But each to their own.

I'd be wary of getting a tattoo linked to any musician or band just in case of an issue in future (Michael Jackson...Lost Prophets...Gary Glitter...)

Kanaloa · 01/08/2021 20:47

And even on this thread there is a discord between the proper meaning of these characters, so the nuance and meaning is unlikely to be understood by a young woman who is canvassing opinions on possible translations.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/08/2021 20:49

I did read it. And I still think it was clumsy and a bit tone deaf.

CloseYourEyesAndSee · 01/08/2021 20:49

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie

I'd say at best that JK Rowling has been somewhat misguided/clumsy in her comments. And, no, I'm not a dickhead.
If you don't think she's transphobic then I'm not calling you a dickhead. You clearly don't worry about 'guilt by association' given your username either.
Mrstreehouse · 01/08/2021 22:47

Japan and China are certainly more dominant societies, cultural appropriation usually alludes to a more dominant society appropriating customs or more of ideas from a less dominant one… I think people are losing the plot here a little, bandying around ‘cultural appropriation’ because it’s a buzz word but with little idea what it really refers to.

Themeparklover · 01/08/2021 23:05

I like it because it is the album artwork and isn't one of those that has no meaning, like above has said I would have assumed dare or similar the bands marketing team probably looked into it

Bugbabe1970 · 01/08/2021 23:43

Why would you get a tattoo if you have no idea what it means!!
Stupid!

EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 02/08/2021 00:25

Of course ypung people know who gorillaz are . My 10 year old has loads of their stuff so has my 18 year old.

If she doesn't like it in 20 years time she can always cover it. Like I did my Pamela Anderson barbed wire

HandforthParishCouncilClerk · 02/08/2021 00:40

My friend has a Chinese tattoo for ‘strength’ on his back. Except he doesn’t speak Chinese, and what he actually has tattooed on him is ‘melon’. If she doesn’t read Japanese and the tattooist isn’t Japanese I really do think it’s a terrible idea.

Jlyori92 · 02/08/2021 01:19

Hi! I live in Japan and am fluent in the language. DH and DD are also Japanese. Like many have said, it is "challenge" chousen in Japanese.
Japanese people associate tattoos with Yakuza but the younger generation don't mind as much. However they do laugh a lot when non Japanese have tattoos like this. But ultimately it is her own choice!

SleepOhHowIMissYou · 02/08/2021 08:40

Before getting a tattoo in Japanese, it might be worth researching why there is such a stigma about tattoos in Japan. In the Edo period, criminals were tattooed as a punishment (permanently marking them as a warning to others) and they are still viewed as shameful. Given that the word means "challenge/dare", this could be seen as culturally insensitive to Japanese people if used as a tattoo.

ConstanceGracy · 02/08/2021 09:24

@SleepOhHowIMissYou

Before getting a tattoo in Japanese, it might be worth researching why there is such a stigma about tattoos in Japan. In the Edo period, criminals were tattooed as a punishment (permanently marking them as a warning to others) and they are still viewed as shameful. Given that the word means "challenge/dare", this could be seen as culturally insensitive to Japanese people if used as a tattoo.
Unless she’s planning on visiting Japan and going to an Onsen she’ll be ok …
RitaFires · 02/08/2021 09:24

The song Dare is based around mocking Shaun Ryder's pronunciation of the word "there" so I probably would not want to immortalise people mimicking someone's accent that they find hilarious even without the orientalist tones.

pictish · 02/08/2021 09:34

Must admit I did initially think the OP’s daughter was attaching more significance to the word ‘dare’ in the song than there is. It is a simple mispronunciation of ‘there’.

It’s coming up
It’s coming up
It’s coming up
It’s THERE

There’s no deep and meaningful to it. It’s nothing to do with challenge or being daring or anything like that. It’s just a tongue in cheek observation of Shaun Ryder’s accent.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 02/08/2021 09:35

Oh fgs. So many people, with so many opinions and so ready to find offence in things that are nothing to do with them. This thread is ridiculous! 😂😂😂

pictish · 02/08/2021 09:37

Maybe so, but I’d rather someone told me than walk about for the rest of my days with a misunderstood reference tattooed on me.

Mrstreehouse · 02/08/2021 09:39

The glory of Mumsnet. Some bonkers people on here.

pictish · 02/08/2021 09:47

“It turns out that Dare began its life when Shaun Ryder listened the song's instrumentals and was simply describing the levels being "there". Due to how the Manchester legend pronounced the word, the song soon evolved to become "DARE" instead.

The Step On singer told Chris Moyles back in 2017: "So my story is, Damon gets on the beat and he gets the tune going, and I go in and I'm trying to get the cans to get in me ears and go, 'It's going up, It's going up, It's going up,' and then go 'It's THERE!"”

He was referring to sound levels in his cans in the recording studio.

Cute story…but not tattoo-worthy to me.

RitaFires · 02/08/2021 09:49

Some people don't have an ear for lyrics and the OP's dd is presumably too young to have been around for the release of the song when they gave interviews saying they had Shaun record the lines over and over again but he still pronounced it the same so they had the other vocalist change her pronunciation to match and renamed the song Dare. It's just an aspect of getting a tattoo that referenced a song that I hadn't seen mentioned.

TanteRose · 02/08/2021 10:09

@SleepOhHowIMissYou

Before getting a tattoo in Japanese, it might be worth researching why there is such a stigma about tattoos in Japan. In the Edo period, criminals were tattooed as a punishment (permanently marking them as a warning to others) and they are still viewed as shameful. Given that the word means "challenge/dare", this could be seen as culturally insensitive to Japanese people if used as a tattoo.
Do take a look at the video I posted upthread about traditional Japanese horimono inking.

Tattoos are increasingly linked to popular culture these days, rather than organized crime. It's true that some places will ask you to cover tattoos (swimming pools, gyms) but I don't think a particular kanji would cause particular offense Smile

NeonDreams · 02/08/2021 10:23

She may be too selfish and ignorant that she might not 'concern' herself with cultural appropriation, but Japanese people more than likely be offended. Of course, if she only thinks about herself, as it appears, especially as she wanted Japanese letters tattooed on her when she had to even ask the meaning, it says a lot. It's the lack of cultural respect that gets me. A tattoo is for life, not a fad. She sounds far too immature and impulsive to have one. She will regret it.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 02/08/2021 10:38

@NeonDreams

She may be too selfish and ignorant that she might not 'concern' herself with cultural appropriation, but Japanese people more than likely be offended. Of course, if she only thinks about herself, as it appears, especially as she wanted Japanese letters tattooed on her when she had to even ask the meaning, it says a lot. It's the lack of cultural respect that gets me. A tattoo is for life, not a fad. She sounds far too immature and impulsive to have one. She will regret it.
This is the most ridiculous post on a ridiculous thread.

You know NOTHING about her, and the fact that she's talking to her parents about it and researching it goes absolutely against your stupid assertion that she 'sounds immature and impulsive'. You have no idea if she will regret it or not. How on earth is getting a tattoo 'selfish'? Don't be so bloody ridiculous.

NeonDreams · 02/08/2021 10:50

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie Clearly cultural appropriation isn't a big deal to you, but it certainly is to me. It is very offensive.

And the way the OP's post reads, it's that her daughter doesn't care if she offends a race of people, and that she is impulsive and liked the look of Japanese letters and didn't even know what it meant. All up, it doesn't reflect the daughter in a good light.

Mrstreehouse · 02/08/2021 10:58

Oh FFS. It’s not cultural appropriation to have some band shit tattooed on your arm. The world has gone mad.