Manny_
後輩
- Joined
- 6 Oct 2002
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Hello, I am writer, and my work contains two female Japanese characters. I know somewhat about Japanese culture, at least enough to create these characters. Now I need more information to validate their authenticity, as I am trying to keep my story as realistic as possible.
Here are the details. Their names are "Kiyoko" and "Kasumi". Both are geniuses, and both accomplished martial artists.
My first question would be what do Kiyoko and Kasumi mean?
Also, Kiyoko was born in 1969, and Kasumi in 1976. Would these be names that girls born at that time would have?
Now their life stories. Kiyoko is a modern day ninja. She was born into a yakuza family, her father a ninjitsu enthusiast. He had his daughter trained in the ways of the ninja, and from early on she was very good at it. When Kiyoko was 9, her father was killed in yakuza clan warfare. She narrowly esacped, and went on to fend for herself. She practiced and refined her ninjitsu skills, eventually making a living hiring herself as an assasin to the Yakuza and others as needed.
Kasumi, on the other hand is a modern day samurai. Her family had samurai ancestry, and her grandfather had her taugh in the samurai ways. In addition she was an exceptional genius, and excelled in her education, specializing in science and computers. In her late teens, her parents were both murdered by the yakuza, and the shock drove her to become a vigilante of sorts, using her skills to kill criminals on occasion.
Eventually, Kasumi and Kiyoko came into conflict. A sort of "professional" rivalry developed between the two.
Kiyoko continued her ninja lifestyle until one day she failed seriously on an assasination attempt and was nearly killed. She was saved and nursed back to health by a Chinese woman, who soon became her best friend. Afterwards, Kiyoko changed her ways. Eventually, she sought out Kasumi and explained this to her, and the two then joined forces, subsequently forming a group of Oriental female martial artists, with similar hard life stories, headed by Kiyoko's Chinese friend.
Now, I wanted to keep this realistic, so how does all the above sound. Please feel free to point out any cultural or other inaccuracies that would make the above untenable.
Now, their personalities. Kiyoko is somewhat stoic and aloof. She is very unemotional about the dealings of her life, usually going about things in a seeming professional manner. She is however quite friendly and cordial (to people she likes), and is able to change her behavior if nessecary to suit her disguise. She is however very loving to her friends, especially her Chinese friend, who she is incredible close with.
Kasumi is bright and somewhat energetic. She is a little of a live wire, not going out of her way to hide her emotions. She will talk about people quite abit behind their backs, and is cunning and clever. It is hard to describe her any more than to say it has been suggested to that Kasumi doesn't seem to behave Japanese, considering she was born and raised in the country. She minds her manners and usually bows to others when greeting them.
Next, their martial arts. Kiyoko uses all the typical ninja weapons (I am aware of), including a ninja sword, a set of sais, the ninja throwing stars, posion needles (she's an expert in medicine), caltrops, and smoke pellets. Her fighting style incorporates many acrobatic movements, as she is incredbly agile.
Kasumi uses the samurai daisho, a katana (which she uses rarely) and a wakizashi (which she uses most of the time). In unarmed combat she uses jujitsu and specializes in countering an opponent's attacks, joint locks, and attacking vital points.
Finally, the issues of surnames. Three questions here. For Kasumi, the surname Akusawa seemed good, though what does this mean? Would a person with samurai heritage of some sort have this name? Also, do Japanese women take their husband's surname when they get married?
That's it, for now. Anyone who feels they can help, please do look over this and see if by concept, their are any cultural inaccuracies here or if the characters sound implausible.
Thank you very much for your help,
-Manny
Here are the details. Their names are "Kiyoko" and "Kasumi". Both are geniuses, and both accomplished martial artists.
My first question would be what do Kiyoko and Kasumi mean?
Also, Kiyoko was born in 1969, and Kasumi in 1976. Would these be names that girls born at that time would have?
Now their life stories. Kiyoko is a modern day ninja. She was born into a yakuza family, her father a ninjitsu enthusiast. He had his daughter trained in the ways of the ninja, and from early on she was very good at it. When Kiyoko was 9, her father was killed in yakuza clan warfare. She narrowly esacped, and went on to fend for herself. She practiced and refined her ninjitsu skills, eventually making a living hiring herself as an assasin to the Yakuza and others as needed.
Kasumi, on the other hand is a modern day samurai. Her family had samurai ancestry, and her grandfather had her taugh in the samurai ways. In addition she was an exceptional genius, and excelled in her education, specializing in science and computers. In her late teens, her parents were both murdered by the yakuza, and the shock drove her to become a vigilante of sorts, using her skills to kill criminals on occasion.
Eventually, Kasumi and Kiyoko came into conflict. A sort of "professional" rivalry developed between the two.
Kiyoko continued her ninja lifestyle until one day she failed seriously on an assasination attempt and was nearly killed. She was saved and nursed back to health by a Chinese woman, who soon became her best friend. Afterwards, Kiyoko changed her ways. Eventually, she sought out Kasumi and explained this to her, and the two then joined forces, subsequently forming a group of Oriental female martial artists, with similar hard life stories, headed by Kiyoko's Chinese friend.
Now, I wanted to keep this realistic, so how does all the above sound. Please feel free to point out any cultural or other inaccuracies that would make the above untenable.
Now, their personalities. Kiyoko is somewhat stoic and aloof. She is very unemotional about the dealings of her life, usually going about things in a seeming professional manner. She is however quite friendly and cordial (to people she likes), and is able to change her behavior if nessecary to suit her disguise. She is however very loving to her friends, especially her Chinese friend, who she is incredible close with.
Kasumi is bright and somewhat energetic. She is a little of a live wire, not going out of her way to hide her emotions. She will talk about people quite abit behind their backs, and is cunning and clever. It is hard to describe her any more than to say it has been suggested to that Kasumi doesn't seem to behave Japanese, considering she was born and raised in the country. She minds her manners and usually bows to others when greeting them.
Next, their martial arts. Kiyoko uses all the typical ninja weapons (I am aware of), including a ninja sword, a set of sais, the ninja throwing stars, posion needles (she's an expert in medicine), caltrops, and smoke pellets. Her fighting style incorporates many acrobatic movements, as she is incredbly agile.
Kasumi uses the samurai daisho, a katana (which she uses rarely) and a wakizashi (which she uses most of the time). In unarmed combat she uses jujitsu and specializes in countering an opponent's attacks, joint locks, and attacking vital points.
Finally, the issues of surnames. Three questions here. For Kasumi, the surname Akusawa seemed good, though what does this mean? Would a person with samurai heritage of some sort have this name? Also, do Japanese women take their husband's surname when they get married?
That's it, for now. Anyone who feels they can help, please do look over this and see if by concept, their are any cultural inaccuracies here or if the characters sound implausible.
Thank you very much for your help,
-Manny
If I could get the Japanese characters in my computer to display right, I could tell you the Kanji. I will check it and display it again. From the what they sound like, what could be possible meanings?
