Farm-- sakuba?

[d0g3n]

Hi folks; new poster here.

I'm wondering about the word sakuba (作場); I find this translated as "farm; workshop" online, and I'm wondering what the connotations are. When would one use sakuba versus noujou? Or fua-mu? How common is sakuba, and when would it be used to mean farm vs. workshop?

Some context here, I am not actually learning Japanese, but am a Buddhist and long-time martial arts student. I live on a very rural farm, and am planning to open a very rural dojo, with the idea that it will be a martial arts workshop space where groups from various schools can come for weekend training retreats. So, in English, the words "farm" and "workshop" are appealing. I was considering naming the space "Sakuba Dojo," but especially since I don't speak Japanese I don't want to make some sort of embarrassing or unfortunate translation error. What do you think?

 

[Mike Cash]

I think you should use English.

 

[d0g3n]

I think you should use English.

Oh--and I also thought of using English, and may go that route eventually. However, the standard approach within my organization is to use Japanese-language based names (with a few exceptions). So, I'm exploring that possibility.

 

[Mike Cash]

Oh--and I also thought of using English, and may go that route eventually. However, the standard approach within my organization is to use Japanese-language based names (with a few exceptions). So, I'm exploring that possibility.

Why? Does anyone in the organization actually speak Japanese? Is the organization going to have an ownership interest?

Just because you're doing a martial art (even if it is Japanese) and you happen to be a Buddhist doesn't mean you have to "Jap it up" (to coin an awful expression, but one which I hope makes the point) every time you do something.

Sort of reminds me of how Buddhist podcasts from the U.S. typically start and end with some cheesy overdone music from Japanese traditional instruments....while Buddhist podcasts in Japan tend to have a short piano or synthesizer intro without any discernible oriental influence whatsoever.

If what you're doing can't stand on its own and do its thing in the local vernacular without relying on some made-term in a language nobody there understands the first thing about anyway in order to give it some thin veneer of Oriental mystique then it has problems that a name wouldn't fix anyway.

It's a serious institution you're going for, I presume; avoid even remote association with the moronic "let's drive down to the local strip mall and get a kanji tattoo woohoo!!!" crowd.

 

[d0g3n]

Why? Does anyone in the organization actually speak Japanese? Is the organization going to have an ownership interest?

Just because you're doing a martial art (even if it is Japanese) and you happen to be a Buddhist doesn't mean you have to "Jap it up" (to coin an awful expression, but one which I hope makes the point) every time you do something.

...It's a serious institution you're going for, I presume; avoid even remote association with the moronic "let's drive down to the local strip mall and get a kanji tattoo woohoo!!!" crowd.

Your point is well taken, and I'm deeply aware of the cultural politics of language and translation. Using a Japanese term that nobody will understand without explanation is an appropriation of culture, and even if that is customary it runs the risk of presenting a veneer of "authenticity" over something that can't otherwise stand on its own. I get that.

Like I said--I may go the English route. And I did ask for opinions, so thanks. To your question, yes--some people in the organization are Japanese and others do speak Japanese. I can ask their advice, but thought I would try to do some research first. Even if I end up using an English-language name, I am still curious about the dual translation of sakuba as "farm" and "workshop"; is the meaning in conversation inferred based on context?

 

[tokkyo]

Hey
I don't think I've heard sakuba or faamu used to describe the kind of farm you're talking about. In fact I haven't really heard either of those words before in any context (unless we're talking about Farmville!). In most cases farm is just 農場 noujou.
But 農場の道場 noujou no doujou also sounds weird, so I might have to concur with Mike Cash.
How about just 道場 doujou?? with no farm thing

 

[d0g3n]

Hey
I don't think I've heard sakuba or faamu used to describe the kind of farm you're talking about. In fact I haven't really heard either of those words before in any context (unless we're talking about Farmville!). In most cases farm is just 窶拈ﾂ湘ｪ noujou.
But 窶拈ﾂ湘ｪ窶堙娯?慊ｹﾂ湘ｪ noujou no doujou also sounds weird, so I might have to concur with Mike Cash.
How about just 窶慊ｹﾂ湘ｪ doujou?? with no farm thing

Thanks, Tokkyo; that helps. If various translations of "farm dojo" sound strange, I may need to take Mike's suggestion and go with plan B.
Cheers!

 

[Mike Cash]

If you want to emphasize the rural (remote) nature of the place, there are other ways of doing that, without giving the impression of actual agricultural activity going on. Though my recommendation (and it is just that, and I do respect what you're about) is still for good ol' English.